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The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
Verse 1. Israel. The dignity of the author, and the importance of the subject, invite us to read. S. Bas.—Solomon is the first whose name is placed at the head of any work in Scripture. Calmet.
to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;
Verse 2. To know. This is the design of these parables. Calmet.—They tend to instruct both the unexperienced and the wise. verse 5. There are three sorts of wisdom: the divine, which is God himself; (chapter 3:16) the supernatural, which is his gift, to lead us into all virtue; and the worldly, which is mixed with error, and so forth Worthington. Wisd. 7:25.
to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man—
Verse 4. Subtilty. Discretion to the innocent. Calmet.
that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;
Verse 5. Wiser. “Tamdiu audiendum & discendum est, quamdiu nescias, & si proverbio credimus, quamdiu vivas,” says Seneca, ep. 77.—Governments. And be fit to govern others, ( Worthington.) as well as himself. Calmet.
to understand a proverb and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.
Verse 6. Sayings. This science was much esteemed. 3 Kennicott. 10:1. Sirach 39:2.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
Verse 7. Fear. Thus we arrive at charity. Saint Augustine in ep. Jo. ix. Job 28:28. and so forth This fear includes religion, but not barren speculations. Calmet.—It implies a desire to act, and not simply to understand.
When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh).
My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;
Verse 8. Mother. The first precept is to learn of our elders, and the second to resist evil counsels. verse 10. Worthington.—Our parents have the greatest influence over us. Solomon presupposes that they are virtuous and well informed. Calmet.
for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.
My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.
Verse 10. Entice. Hebrew “deceive.” Calmet.—Pessimum inimicorum genus laudantes. Tacit. in vit. Agric.
If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lie in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.
Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit.
Verse 12. Pit. Grave, or hell, like Dathan. Numbers 16. This shews the greatest rage. Job 31:31.
Sheol is the place of the dead.
We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder.
You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse”—
my son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,
for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.
For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;
Verse 17. Wings. If thou attend, therefore, to my instructions, their arts will be vain. Ven. Bede.—They unjustly seek to deceive the pious. Calmet.—Watchfulness will be the best protection against them. Worthington.
but these lay in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.
Verse 19. Possessors. Of money. Calmet.—While they attempt to invade another’s property, they ruin themselves, and come to the gallows. Bible.
Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.
Verse 20. Streets. In every place we may learn wisdom. “The wise learn more from fools, than fools do from the wise,” as Cato well observed. Calmet.
She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?
Verse 22. Fools. Hebrew “and scorners delight in their scorning.” Prot.—Such are the pests of society. Bible.—They turn piety to ridicule, and will talk about things which they do not understand, like our esprits forts, ( Calmet.) or pretended philosophers. Bible.
Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.
“Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;
I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you,
Verse 26. Mock. God is too much above us to act thus; but he will treat us as an enraged enemy. Calmet.—In hell, the damned will cry in vain. verse 28. They had sufficient graces offered while they were alive. Worthington.
when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you.
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,
Verse 28. Find me. Because their repentance was false, like that of Antiochus. 2 Maccabees 9:13 and Psalms 11:4. Calmet.
because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of the LORD.
They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
Verse 30. Despised. Lit. “destracted,” ( Bible.) supposing my threats would not be put in execution. Hebrew “they abhorred.” Calmet.
Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.
For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
Verse 32. Turning. Hebrew “the ease of the simple,” who have given way to deceit. Calmet.—Them. The objects of their eager desires, prove their ruin. Ezekiel 16:49.
But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Verse 33. Evils. Both the just and the wicked, (verse 31. Bible.) shall be treated according to their deserts. 2 Corinthians 5:10. Worthington.—Even in this world, the just enjoy the peace of a good conscience. Menochius.