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Don’t set your heart upon your goods. Don’t say, “They are sufficient for me.”
Verse 1. Unjust. The translator styles riches unjust, because they often proceed from, or tend to injustice. They can afford no protection in death. Psalms 48:17. Lu. 11:19 and 16:9. Calmet.
Don’t follow your own mind and your strength to walk in the desires of your heart.
Verse 2. Heart. If no man can oppose thee, remember God’s judgments. Worthington.
Don’t say, “Who will have dominion over me?” for the Lord will surely take vengeance on you.
Verse 3. How mighty am I? is not in Greek though read by S. Cyp. and Saint Augustine Spec.—Sennacherib’s vain boasting was soon punished. Isaiah 37:36. Calmet.
Don’t say, “I sinned, and what happened to me?” for the Lord is patient.
Verse 4. Rewarder. Greek “is long-suffering, he will not let thee escape.”
Don’t be so confident of atonement that you add sin upon sins.
Verse 5. And add. Greek “to add.” Take not occasion from God’s goodness to offend him. Bible.—He will punish at last. Jans.—Though you may have taken pains to repent, are you assured of being forgiven? Eccle. 9:1. A relapse calls for greater severity, though the graces of God are without repentance. Romans 11:29. He does not recall his favours, but he hates the ungrateful, verse 6. Bell. Just. iii. 4. Calmet.—Satisfaction must be made even after the sin has been remitted. Worthington.—This may be feared. Menochius.
Don’t say, “His compassion is great. He will be pacified for the multitude of my sins,” for mercy and wrath are with him, and his indignation will rest on sinners.
Don’t wait to turn to the Lord. Don’t put off from day to day; for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come on you, and you will perish in the time of vengeance.
Verse 7. Looketh. Greek “shall rest” in hell, to punish the abuse of mercy. Bible.
Don’t set your heart upon unrighteous gains, for you will profit nothing in the day of calamity.
Verse 8. Day. A rabbin being asked when one must repent? answered, the day before death. But we know not when that will take place! Then, replied he, we must repent to-day. Drus.—“God has promised thee pardon, if thou repent, but he has not promised thee to-morrow.” Saint Augustine Ps. cxiv.
Don’t winnow with every wind. Don’t walk in every path. This is what the sinner who has a double tongue does.
Be steadfast in your understanding. Let your speech be consistent.
Be swift to hear and answer with patience.
If you have understanding, answer your neighbor; but if not, put your hand over your mouth.
Verse 12. The way. Greek, “thy knowledge or sentiment, and let thy speech be one,” ( Bible.) that men may depend upon thee.
Glory and dishonor is in talk. A man’s tongue may be his downfall.
Verse 13. Word. Comp. adds, “of God.” But the Rom. edit. has, “be quick to hear, and answer slowly.” Jam. 1:19. “It is safer to hear than to preach.” Saint Augustine lix. in Jo.—Constancy in virtue will obtain the promised peace. Worthington.
Don’t be called a whisperer. Don’t lie in wait with your tongue; for shame is on the thief, and an evil condemnation is on him who has a double tongue.
Verse 14. Lest. Greek “honour and infamy is in speech; and the tongue of man proves his ruin.” Bible.—Nothing can be productive of better or of worse consequences. Proverbs 18:21. Calmet.
Don’t be ignorant in a great or small matter.