13 ¶ 'A foolish woman is clamorous: she and as for him that wanteth understanding is simple, and knoweth nothing. she saith to him,

14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 15 To call passengers who go right on ways:

their

16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither:

5 Chap. 7. 11.

17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

6 Heb. of secrecies.

Verse 1. "Seven pillars.”—“ Seven" is much employed in Scripture as a definite number denoting one that is in

definite.

14, 15. “She sitteth at the door of her house...to call passengers," &c.—This is mentioned as a gross indecorum, and is in fact what none but the most impudent public women will dare to do, particularly when unveiled even in the most dissolute cities of the East. Cairo, which is one of these cities, furnishes ample illustrations of all the vicious usages which the wise man reprobates. Joseph Pitts describes such women as sitting at their doors and walking in the streets unveiled, and adds, "These sparks go along the streets smoking their pipes four or five feet long; and when they sit at their doors, a man can scarce pass by but they will endeavour to decoy him in." Lane also takes notice of their custom of sitting or walking about the streets unveiled ; and their importunity to passengers.

CHAPTER X.

From this chapter to the five and twentieth are sundry observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices.

THE proverbs of Solomon. 'A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

2 "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away 'the substance of the wicked.

4 'He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

6 Blessings are upon the head of the just but 'violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

:

the back of him that is void of "understand

ing.

14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof 17erreth.

18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

21 The lips of the righteous feed many :

7 "The memory of the just is blessed : but but fools die for want of wisdom. the name of the wicked shall rot.

8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool 'shall fall. 9 1oHe that walketh uprightly walketh surely but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

10 "He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool "shall fall.

11 13The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but "love covereth all sins.

13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for

Chap. 15. 20. Chap. 11. 4. Psal. 112. 6. 8 Heb. a fool of lips.

14 1 Cor. 13. 4. 1 Pet. 4, 8.

3 Psal. 27. 25.

22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

:

25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

27 20 The fear of the LORD "prolongeth

Or, the wicked for their wickedness.
10 Psal. 23. 4. 11 Chap. 6. 13.
17 Or, causeth to err,
21 Heb. addeth.

9 Or, shall be beaten.
15 Heb. heart.
16 Chap. 18 11.
20 Chap. 9. 11.

5 Chap. 12. 24. Verse 11.

12 Or, shall be beaten. 13 Chap. 13. 14. 18 Heb. of heart. 19 Chap. 14.9.

days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the "expectation of the wicked shall perish.

29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

22 Job 8. 13, and 11. 20. Psal. 112. 10.

30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. 31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be

cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh "frowardness.

23 Psal. 37. 22, and 125. 1. 24 Heb. frowardnesses.

CHAP. X.-The book of Proverbs, properly so called, may be said to begin with this chapter, the portion through which we have passed being to be regarded in the light of a general introduction to the whole. The portion on which we now enter is susceptible of a sufficiently distinct division into four parts, the first of which extends from hence to chap. xxii. 16, and consists of brief and pointed expressions, for the most part antithetical, and in which, of course, from the very nature of this kind of composition, little if any connection between the several sentences is to be found or expected. A "proverb," strictly speaking, is a short moral sentence, which means something else than the words naturally and literally imply. A great number of the sentences in the present book correspond to this definition; but the Hebrew word ( meshlim) has a larger meaning, comprehending, also, plain maxims, sentiments, and declarative expressions-such as compose by far the greatest portion of the book of "Proverbs."

Verse 11. "A well of life."-This means the same as "a living well," that is a well supplied by a perennial spring. as distinguished from the reservoirs and cisterns in which rain water was preserved.

31. "The froward tongue shall be cut out."-It is very possible that this alludes to a punishment actually inflicted upon those who indulged their tongue in offensive licence. This at least sometimes happens in the East, and particu larly in Persia, where we have sometimes met with persons whose tongues have been cut out, by royal or princely order, for offences with that organ. The most notorious modern instance is perhaps that of the late king's treatment of his aged vizier, Hajee Ibrahim, who, when the machinations of his enemies prevailed (in 1802), was degraded and condemned to lose his eyes; and when, with Persian liberty of speech, he exclaimed against the injustice and ingratitude of his royal master, the king ordered his tongue to be cut out. He did not long survive.

CHAPTER XI.

A FALSE balance is abomination to the
LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame but with the lowly is wisdom.

3 "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

5 The righteousness of the perfect shall "direct his way but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright the

16 A gracious woman retaineth honour. and strong men retain riches.

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked

1 Levit. 19. 36. Deut. 25. 15. Chap. 16. 11, and 20. 10, 23. 2 Heb. balances of deceit. 3 Heb. a perfect stone. Chap. 15. 33, and 16. 18, and 18. 12. 5 Chap. 13. 6. 6 Chap. 10. 2. Ezek. 7. 19. Zeph. 1. 18. 7 Heb. rectify. 8 Chap. 5. 2. • Chap. 21. 18. 10 Job 8. 13. 11 Heb. destitute of heart. 12 Heb. he that walketh, being a tale-bearer. 131 Kings 12, 1, &c. 14 Heb. shall be sore broken. 15 Heb. those that strike hands.

25 17 18The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also 31 "Behold, the righteous shall be rehimself. compensed in the earth: much more the 26 He that withholdeth corn, the people wicked and the sinner.

17 2 Cor. 9. 8, 9. 10. 18 Heb. the soul of blessing. 19 Psal. 7. 15, 16, and 9. 15, 16, and 10. 2, and 57. 6. 20 Psal. 1. 3, and 92. 12, &c. Jer. 17. 8. 21 Heb. taketh. 221 Pet. 4. 18.

Verse 22. "Jewel of gold in a swine's snout."-This comparison is most evidently derived from the still common practice, among the women, of wearing such nose-jewels as we have mentioned in the note to Gen. xxiv. 22.

4 Psal. 37. 37. Chap. 11. 21.
the wicked is in the transgression
15 Psal. 57. 4, and 59. 7.
18 Or, deceitful.

25 "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

26 The righteous is more "excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

19 Chap. 15. 13.

27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

20 Or, abundant.

Verse 27. "The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting."-This is a difficult text, and has been va riously translated and explained. The difficulty arises from the uncertainty of the word ( charak), which occurs no where else, except in the Chaldee of Daniel iii. 29, where it certainly means, to singe or burn. But it does not follow that it has the same meaning in the Hebrew, which has other, common, words to express this. If therefore we neglect the Chaldee, and seek a meaning in the Hebrew only, we shall be rather led to conclude that it means to seize, a secure. This sense is indeed that which the ancient versions give, and furnishes a clear meaning which it is perhaps difficult to obtain from the present translation. It might then intimate that diligence is in every way so essential, that not only the occupations of men but many of their amusements-such as hunting-would be abortive without it: thus, "The slothful (hunter) secures not his prey."

"Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight."-Verse 18

CHAPTER XIII.

A WISE son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

2 'A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips

shall have destruction.

4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

6 'Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: 'but the 'lamp of the wicked shall be put

out.

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth 'by labour shall increase.

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick : but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

1 Chap. 12. 14. Chap. 11. 3, 5, 6.

Heb. sin.
peace.

7 Heb. with the band, 8 Or, shall be in
12 Heb. shall be broken. 13 Job 27. 17.

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool "layeth open his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools "shall be destroyed.

21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

4 Job 18. 6, and 21. 17. 5 Or, candle. Chap. 10. 2, and 20 21,
9 Chap. 14. 27. 10 Chap. 12 23, and 15. 2. 11 Heb. spreadeth
14 Chap. 12. 11. 15 Chap. 23. 13. 16 Psal, 34. 10, and 37. 3.

Verse 20. "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise."-The Orientals abound in proverbs, maxims, and apologues, designed to express the influence upon the character of good or evil associations. So the Arabic proverbs:-" Live with him who prays, and thou prayest; live with the singer, and thou singest."—" He who intimately frequents people for forty days, has become one of their number."-"He has been among the onions, and returns with their strong smell."-The last finds a beautiful contrast in the apologue of the Persian moralist, Saadi:-"A friend of mine put into my hands a piece of scented clay. I took it, and said to it, 'Art thou musk or ambergris, for I am charmed with thy perfume?' It answered, I was a despicable piece of clay, but I was sometime in the company of the rose: the sweet quality of my companion was communicated to me; otherwise I should only be a bit of clay, as I appear to be.'"

CHAPTER XIV.

EVERY wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. 2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: 'but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4s 2

4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. 5 A faithful witness will not lie but a false witness will utter lies.

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

1 Job 12.4. 2 Exod. 20. 16, and 23. 1. Chap. 6. 19, and 12. 17. 3 Chap. 8. 9,

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