1 Whoso loueth instruction, loueth knowledge: but he that hateth reproofe, is brutish.
2 A good man obtaineth fauour of the Lord: but a man of wicked deuices will he condemne.
3 A man shall not bee established by wickednesse: but the roote of the righteous shall not be mooued.
4 A vertuous woman is a crowne to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed, is as rottennesse in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are to lie in waite for blood: but the mouth of the vpright shall deliuer them.
7 The wicked are ouerthrowen, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisedome: but hee that is of a peruerse heart, shall be despised.
9 Hee that is despised and hath a seruant, is better then he that honoureth himselfe, and lacketh bread.
10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruell.
11 Hee that tilleth his land, shall bee satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vaine persons, is void of vnderstanding.
12 The wicked desireth the net of euill men: but the roote of the righteous yeeldeth fruit.
13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lippes: but the iust shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall bee satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompence of a mans hands shall bee rendred vnto him.
15 The way of a foole is right in his owne eyes: but he that hearkeneth vnto counsell, is wise.
16 A fooles wrath is presently knowen: but a prudent man couereth shame.
17 He that speaketh trueth, sheweth foorth righteousnesse: but a false witnesse, deceit.
18 There is that speaketh like the pearcings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lippe of trueth shall bee established for euer: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine euill: but to the counsellours of peace, is ioy.
21 There shall no euill happen to the iust: but the wicked shall bee filled with mischiefe.
22 Lying lippes are abomination to the Lord: but they that deale truely, are his delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fooles proclaimeth foolishnesse.
24 The hand of the diligent shall beare rule: but the slouthfull shall bee vnder tribute.
25 Heauinesse in the heart of man maketh it stoope: but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous is more excellent then his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27 The slouthfull man rosteth not that which he tooke in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28 In the way of righteousnesse is life, and in the path-way thereof there is no death.
1 Those who have grace, will delight in the instructions given them. Those that stifle their convictions, are like brutes. #2|. The man who covers selfish and vicious designs under a profession of religion or friendship, will be condemned. #3|. Though men may advance themselves by sinful arts, they cannot settle and secure themselves. But those who by faith are rooted in Christ, are firmly fixed. #4|. A wife who is pious, prudent, and looks well to the ways of her household, who makes conscience of her duty, and can bear crosses; such a one is an honour and comfort to her husband. She that is the reverse of this, preys upon him, and consumes him. #5|. Thoughts are not free; they are under the Divine knowledge, therefore under the Divine command. It is a man's shame to act with deceit, with trick and design. #6|. Wicked people speak mischief to their neighbours. A man may sometimes do a good work with one good word. #7|. God's blessing is often continued to the families of godly men, while the wicked are overthrown. #8|. The apostles showed wisdom by glorying in shame for the name of Christ. #9|. He that lives in a humble state, who has no one to wait upon him, but gets bread by his own labour, is happier than he that glories in high birth or gay attire, and wants necessaries. 10|. A godly man would not put even an animal to needless pain. But the wicked often speak of others as well used, when they would not endure like treatment for a single day. #11|. It is men's wisdom to mind their business, and follow an honest calling. But it is folly to neglect business; and the grace of God teaches men to disdain nothing but sin. #12|. When the ungodly see others prosper by sin, they wish they could act in the same way. But the root of Divine grace, in the heart of the righteous, produces other desires and purposes. #13|. Many a man has paid dear in this world for the transgression of his lips. 14|. When men use their tongues aright, to teach and comfort others, they enjoy acceptance through Christ Jesus; and the testimony of their conscience, that they in some measure answer the end of their being. #15|. A fool, in the sense of Scripture, means a wicked man, one who acts contrary to the wisdom that is from above. His rule is, to do what is right in his own eyes. 16|. A foolish man is soon angry, and is hasty in expressing it; he is ever in trouble and running into mischief. It is kindness to ourselves to make light of injuries and affronts, instead of making the worst of them. #17|. It is good for all to dread and detest the sin of lying, and to be governed by honesty. #18|. Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole. #19|. If truth be spoken, it will hold good; whoever may be disobliged, still it will keep its ground. #20|. Deceit and falsehood bring terrors and perplexities. But those who consult the peace and happiness of others have joy in their own minds. #21|. If men are sincerely righteous, the righteous God has engaged that no evil shall happen to them. But they that delight in mischief shall have enough of it. #22|. Make conscience of truth, not only in words, but in actions. #23|. Foolish men proclaim to all the folly and emptiness of their minds. #24|. Those who will not take pains in an honest calling, living by tricks and dishonesty, are paltry and beggarly. #25|. Care, fear, and sorrow, upon the spirits, deprive men of vigour in what is to be done, or courage in what is to be borne. A good word from God, applied by faith, makes the heart glad. #26|. The righteous is abundant; though not in this world's goods, yet in the graces and comforts of the Spirit, which are the true riches. Evil men vainly flatter themselves that their ways are not wrong. #27|. The slothful man makes no good use of the advantages Providence puts in his way, and has no comfort in them. The substance of a diligent man, though not great, does good to him and his family. He sees that God gives it to him in answer to prayer. #28|. The way of religion is a straight, plain way; it is the way of righteousness. There is not only life at the end, but life in the way; all true comfort.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.