1 A false ballance is abomination to the Lord: but a iust weight is his delight.
2 When pride commeth, then commeth shame: but with the lowly is wisedome.
3 The integritie of the vpright shall guide them: but the peruersenesse of transgressours shall destroy them.
4 Riches profite not in the day of wrath: but righteousnesse deliuereth from death.
5 The righteousnesse of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his owne wickednesse.
6 The righteousnesse of the vpright shall deliuer them: but transgressours shall be taken in their owne naughtinesse.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of vniust men perisheth.
8 The righteous is deliuered out of trouble, and the wicked commeth in his stead.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the iust be deliuered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the citie reioyceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the vpright the citie is exalted; but it is ouerthrowen by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that is void of wisedome, despiseth his neighbour: but a man of vnderstanding holdeth his peace.
13 A tale-bearer reuealeth secrets: but hee that is of a faithfull spirit, concealeth the matter.
14 Where no counsell is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safetie.
15 Hee that is suretie for a stranger, shall smart for it: and hee that hateth suretiship, is sure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retaine riches.
17 The mercifull man doeth good to his owne soule: but he that is cruell, troubleth his owne flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitfull worke: but to him that soweth righteousnesse, shall be a sure reward.
19 As righteousnesse tendeth to life: so he that pursueth euill, pursueth it to his owne death.
20 They that are of a froward heart, are abomination to the Lord: but such as are vpright in their way, are his delight.
21 Though hand ioyne in hand, the wicked shall not be vnpunished: but the seede of the righteous shall be deliuered.
22 As a iewell of golde in a swines snowt; so is a faire woman which is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is onely good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more then is meete, but it tendeth to pouertie.
25 The liberall soule shalbe made fat: and he that watereth, shall be watered also himselfe.
26 Hee that withholdeth corne, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be vpon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good, procureth fauour: but hee that seeketh mischiefe, it shall come vnto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches, shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubleth his owne house, shall inherite the winde: and the foole shall be seruant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life: and hee that winneth soules, is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shalbe recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
1 However men may make light of giving short weight or measure, and however common such crimes may be, they are an abomination to the Lord. #2|. Considering how safe, and quiet, and easy the humble are, we see that with the lowly is wisdom. #3|. An honest man's principles are fixed, therefore his way is plain. #4|. Riches will stand men in no stead in the day of death. #5,6|. The ways of wickedness are dangerous. And sin will be its own punishment. #7|. When a godly man dies, all his fears vanish; but when a wicked man dies, his hopes vanish. #8|. The righteous are often wonderfully kept from going into dangerous situations, and the ungodly go in their stead. #9|. Hypocrites delude men into error and sin by artful objections against the truths of God's word. #10,11|. Nations prosper when wicked men are cast down. #12|. A man of understanding does not judge of others by their success. #13|. A faithful man will not disclose what he is trusted with, unless the honour of God and the real good of society require it. #14|. We shall often find it to our advantage to advise with others. #15|. The welfare of our families, our own peace, and our ability to pay just debts, must not be brought into danger. But here especially let us consider the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in becoming Surety even for enemies. #16|. A pious and discreet woman will keep esteem and respect, as strong men keep possession of wealth. #17|. A cruel, froward, ill-natured man, is vexatious to those that are, and should be to him as his own flesh, and punishes himself. #18|. He that makes it his business to do good, shall have a reward, as sure to him as eternal truth can make it. #19|. True holiness is true happiness. The more violent a man is in sinful pursuits, the more he hastens his own destruction. #20|. Nothing is more hateful to God, than hypocrisy and double dealing, which are here signified. God delights in such as aim and act with uprightness. #21|. Joining together in sin shall not protect the sinners. #22|. Beauty is abused by those who have not discretion or modesty with it. This is true of all bodily endowments. #23|. The wicked desire mischief to others, but it shall return upon themselves. #24|. A man may grow poor by not paying just debts, not relieving the poor, not allowing needful expenses. Let men be ever so saving of what they have, if God appoints, it comes to nothing. #25|. Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren. #26|. We must not hoard up the gifts of God's bounty, merely for our own advantage. #27|. Seeking mischief is here set against seeking good; for those that are not doing good are doing hurt, even to themselves. 28|. The true believer is a branch of the living Vine. When those that take root in the world wither, those who are grafted into Christ shall be fruitful. #29|. He that brings trouble upon himself and his family, by carelessness, or by wickedness, shall be unable to keep and enjoy what he gets, as a man is unable to hold the wind, or to satisfy himself with it. #30|. The righteous are as trees of life; and their influence upon earth, like the fruits of that tree, support and nourish the spiritual life in many. #31|. Even the righteous, when they offend on earth, shall meet with sharp corrections; much more will the wicked meet the due reward of their sins. Let us then seek those blessings which our Surety purchased by his sufferings and death; let us seek to copy his example, and to keep his commandments.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.