Proverbs 29)
1 He, that being often reproved hardens his neck, (Illustrations: Antediluvians [Gen. 6. 1 Pet. 3:20. 2 Pet. 2:5. Luke 17:26,27]; Pharaoh [Ex. 7:13,14; 8:15; 10:1,20,27]; Ahab [1 Kings 17;1; 18:18; 20:42; 21:20; 22].)
Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When righteous ones are increase, (Not necessarily in numbers, but in greatness. Cp. v.16 and see 4:10, and the next clause.)
The people rejoice: but when a lawless one bears rule, the people mourn.
3 Whoso loves true wisdom rejoices his father:
But he that keeps company with harlots spends his substance.
4 The king by judgment establishes the land:
But a man that is open to bribes overthrows it.
5 A man that flatters his neighbor
Spreads a net for his footsteps. (Illustrations: woman of Tekoah [2 Sam. 14:3,19,20,28,29]; spies [Luke 20:21].)
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare:
But a righteous one does sing and rejoice.
7 A righteous one considers (Heb. "knows", put for the result of knowing) the cause of weak ones: Illustrations: Job [Job 29:13-16. Cp. Ps. 37:26; 112;5. Prov. 31:20] Josiah [Jer. 12:16].
But a lawless one regards not to know it. (I.e. makes no attempt to know it; or, knowing it, does not consider it. Illustrations: Jer. 5:28. Cp. Luke 10:31,32.)
8 Scoffers bring a city into a snare: (Illustrations: Moses [Ex. 32:10-14]; Aaron [Num. 16;48]; Elijah [Jas. 5:18]. Contrast Sodom [Gen. 18;22]; and Jer. 5:1. Ezek. 22:30.)
But wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contends with a foolish (= lax or careless habit of mind and body) man,
Whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10 The men of bloods hate upright ones: (Illustrations: Ahab [2 Chron. 18:7]; Jezebel [1 Kings 18:4; 19:2]; Kenites [Acts 23;12]; Cain [Gen. 4:8. Cp. 1 John 3:12.)
But an honest one seek his soul. (I.e. to preserve it. Illustrations: Jonothan [1 Sam. 19:2]; Obadiah [1 Kings 18:4]; believers [Acts12:5]; Priscilla and Aquila [Rom. 16:4])
11 A fool (= fat, and then dense, or stupid, which comes of it, showing itself in impiety) utters all his spirit (put for the feeling manifested by it):
But a wise man keeps it in till afterwards. (Illustrations: Abraham Gen. 22]; Joseph [Gen. 42:7; 44:18-34]; Moses [Ex. 3;10. Cp. 4:18]; Nathan [2 Sam. 12:1-6,7-13].)
12 If a ruler hearken to lies,
All his servants are wicked.
13 A needy man and an oppressive (or, a crafty man, especially a creditor or usurer) man meet together: (I.e. unexpectedly. See Gen. 32:17. Cp. 33:8.)
The LORD (Yehovah) lightens both their eyes.
14 The king that faithfully judges weak ones,
His throne shall be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom:
But a child left to himself brings his mother to shame.
16 When wicked one are increased in authority (or position. Not necessarily in number), transgression increases:
But the righteous shall see into [the symptoms and causes of] their fall. (I.e. fall caused by external circumstances)
17 Correct your son, and he shall give you rest;
Yes, he shall give delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no vision, a people perish: (Illustrations Israel [1 Sam. 3:1. 1 Kings 12:28-32; 14;1-16].)
But he that keeps the law, happy is he. (Illustrations: Hezekiah [2 Chron. 29]; Josiah [2 Chron. 34:33; 35:18. Jer. 22:16.)
19 A servant will not be corrected by words:
For though he understand he will not answer.
20 See you a man that is hasty in his words?
There is more hope of a fool than of him.
21 He that delicately brings up his servant from a youth
Shall have him become [insolent] like a son at the length.
22 An angry man stirs up strife,
And a master (or lord) of wrath abounds in transgression.
23 A man's pride shall bring him low: (Adam and Eve [Gen. 3:5,6]; Hezekiah [2 Kings 20:16-18]; angels [2 Pet. 2:4. Jude 6,6.])
But honor shall uphold a humble one in spirit. (Illustrations; Solomon [1 Kings 3:7,9,11-14]; John John 1;26,27; 3:29,31].)
24 Whoso is partner with a thief hates his own soul:
He hears cursing, and bewrays (confronts) it not.
25 The fear of man (refers to the inward feeling of timidity. See 1 Tim 1:7) brings a snare: (Fear...snare, one of the 2 great snares. The other is "the praise of man": John 12;42. Cp. Rom. 2;29. John 5:44. Illustrations: parents [John 9:22]; rulers John 12:42]; Nicodemus John 3:2; 7;50. Contrast 19;39]; Joseph [John 19:38]; David [1 Sam. 16:12,13; 27:1]; Elijah [1 Kings 19:3,&c.]; Peter [Matt. 26;69-74].)
But whoso confides in the LORD shall be set on high.
26 Many seek the ruler's favor;
But every man's judgment comes from the LORD.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to just ones:
And he that is upright in the way is abomination to a lawless one.