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Verse 1. Wisdom. In this book, Wisdom is taken for the Deity, the Son, or the gift communicated to men. Proverbs 3:19. Wisd. 7:25. Calmet.
EXPLANATIONS
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Historical chapter commentary
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Verse 3. God. This is eternal and unsearchable, more than the sand of the sea, and so forth Isaiah 40:12. Bible.—Man cannot comprehend God’s works. Worthington.
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Verse 4. Created. Or “generated,” if it be understood of the Son. Saint Athanasius Bos.—The wisdom which is given to man, was in God before the creation. Proverbs 8:22. Calmet.—The decree regarding the incarnation was from eternity. Menochius.
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Verse 5. Commandments. The wise will observe the law (Deuteronomy 4:6. Bible.) and the Scriptures. This verse is not in the Greek of Rome, and so forth but it is in the edit. of Complut. and Camerarius.
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Verse 9. In the Holy Ghost, or from himself. See Wisd. 1:5 and 7:22. Greek omits these words. Calmet.
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Verse 11. Joy. Eternal glory is the fruit of the fear of the Lord; not that this virtue sufficeth, but it is the beginning, grounded on true faith, and bringeth forth other virtues, and fruits of the Holy Ghost, and a joyful crown in the end. Worthington.—The virtuous enjoy or deserve honour. Calmet.
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Verse 16. Womb. Grace has prevented them. Bible.—They are free from evil dispositions. Wisd. 8:19. Job 31:18.—Women; feminis, or rather seminis. Calmet.—Greek “it shall be intrusted to their seed.” Bible.—“His mercy is fixed with their seed.” Syr. Menochius.—This includes both men and women.
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Verse 17. Religiousness, or proper application of knowledge. Bible.—A learned impious man is most dangerous. This and the two next verses are not in Greek.
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Verse 27. Sin, by vigilance or by repentance.
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Verse 29. To him, as may be seen in the lives of the patriarchs.
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Verse 32. Sinner. Such imagine that God’s service is insupportable. Worthington.
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Verse 35. Faith, or fidelity. Menochius.—The meek shall possess the land. Matthew 5:4. Calmet.
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Verse 39. Down. Pride is usually thus treated. Matthew 23:12. Calmet.
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Verse 5 is omitted by the best authorities: The source of wisdom is God’s word in the highest heaven, and her ways are the eternal commandments.
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Verse 7 is omitted by the best authorities: To whom was the knowledge of wisdom manifested? Who has understood her abundant experience?
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Greek nested.
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Greek health of cure.
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The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities: Both are gifts of God for peace; glory opens out for those who love him. He saw her and took her measure.
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Verse 21 is omitted by the best authorities: The fear of the Lord drives away sins. Where it resides, it will turn away all anger.