Bible Commentaries

Verse 1

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

wise

24:3,4; 31:10-31; Ruth 4:11

the foolish

9:13-15; 19:13; 21:9,19; 1 Kings 16:31; 21:24,25; 2 Kings 11:1

Reciprocal: Exodus 35:25 - General;  1 Samuel 25:3 - good;  2 Samuel 7:11 - he will make;  Proverbs 12:4 - virtuous;  Proverbs 12:7 - the house;  Proverbs 31:27 - General;  Ecclesiastes 10:18 - General;  Matthew 7:26 - doeth;  1 Timothy 5:14 - guide

Verse 2

He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

that walketh

16:17; 28:6; 1 Kings 3:6; Job 1:1; 28:28; Psalms 25:21; 112:1; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Malachi 2:5,6; Acts 9:31; 10:22,35

but

11:12; Job 12:4; Psalms 123:3,4; Luke 10:16; 16:14; Romans 2:4,5; 2 Timothy 3:2,3

Reciprocal: Numbers 22:32 - before me;  Job 2:3 - an upright;  Proverbs 20:7 - just;  Micah 2:7 - walketh

Verse 3

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

the mouth

18:6; 21:24; 22:8; 28:25; 1 Samuel 2:3; Job 5:21; Psalms 12:3; 31:18; 52:1,2; Psalms 57:4; Daniel 7:20; James 3:5,6; 2 Peter 2:18; Revelation 15:5,6

but

12:6; Romans 10:9,10; Revelation 3:10; 12:11

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 7:10 - pride

Verse 4

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

clean

Amos 4:6

but

13:23; 1 Corinthians 9:9-11

Reciprocal: Exodus 22:1 - five oxen;  Job 39:11 - leave;  Proverbs 12:11 - tilleth;  Proverbs 28:19 - that tilleth;  Ezekiel 1:10 - the face of an ox

Verse 5

A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

25; 6:19; 12:17; 13:5; 19:5,9; Exodus 20:16; 23:1; 1 Kings 21:13; 22:12-14

Reciprocal: Proverbs 6:17 - lying;  Proverbs 11:13 - he;  Proverbs 24:28 - not;  Jeremiah 23:28 - speak

Verse 6

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

scorner

18:2; 26:12; Isaiah 8:20; Jeremiah 8:9; Matthew 6:22,23; 11:25-27; Romans 1:21-28; Romans 9:31,32; 1 Corinthians 3:18,19; 8:2; 2 Peter 3:3-5

knowledge

8:9; 17:24; Psalms 119:18,98-100; Matthew 13:11,12; James 1:5

Reciprocal: Proverbs 1:22 - the scorners;  Proverbs 13:1 - but;  Proverbs 17:16 - seeing;  Proverbs 24:7 - too;  Amos 8:12 - shall run;  Luke 13:24 - for;  1 Corinthians 2:14 - neither;  2 Timothy 3:7 - learning

Verse 7

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

9:6; 13:20; 19:27; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Ephesians 5:11

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 28:11 - Thus

Verse 8

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

wisdom

2:9; 8:20; Psalms 111:10; 119:5,34,35,73; 143:8; Ephesians 5:17; Colossians 1:9,10; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; James 3:13

folly

11:18; Jeremiah 13:20; *marg:; Luke 12:19,20; Ephesians 4:22; 2 Timothy 3:13

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 4:6 - this is your;  1 Kings 3:9 - to judge;  1 Chronicles 12:32 - to know;  1 Chronicles 22:12 - that thou mayest;  2 Chronicles 1:11 - that thou mayest;  Psalm 119:125 - that I;  Proverbs 2:7 - layeth;  Proverbs 10:8 - wise;  Proverbs 14:15 - the prudent;  Proverbs 20:24 - how;  Proverbs 26:24 - deceit;  Ecclesiastes 2:14 - wise;  Ecclesiastes 10:2 - wise;  Matthew 7:24 - a wise;  Acts 13:7 - a prudent;  1 Corinthians 6:5 - Is it;  Ephesians 5:15 - not;  Colossians 3:16 - all

Verse 9

Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

Fools

1:22; 10:23; 26:18,19; 30:20; Job 15:16; 34:7-9; Jude 1:18

among

3:4; 8:35; 12:2; 13:15; Romans 14:17,18

Reciprocal: Proverbs 15:21 - joy;  1 Corinthians 13:6 - Rejoiceth not

Verse 10

The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

heart

15:13; 18:14; 1 Samuel 1:10; 2 Kings 4:27; Job 6:2-4; 7:11; 9:18; 10:1; Ezekiel 3:14; Mark 14:33,34; John 12:27

his, etc

Heb. the bitterness of his soul.

Genesis 42:21

and

Psalms 25:14; John 14:18,23; Philippians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:8; Revelation 2:17

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 8:38 - the plague;  2 Chronicles 6:29 - know;  Job 21:25 - in the bitterness;  Proverbs 3:32 - his;  Proverbs 12:25 - Heaviness;  Proverbs 14:14 - a good;  John 4:32 - that;  John 14:17 - whom;  1 Corinthians 2:11 - what

Verse 11

The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

house

3:33; 12:7; 21:12; Job 8:15; 15:34; 18:14,15,21; 20:26-28; 21:28; Job 27:13-23; Zechariah 5:4; Matthew 7:26,27

the tabernacle

11:28; 21:20; Job 8:6; Psalms 112:2,3; 128:3; Isaiah 58:11,12

Reciprocal: Proverbs 15:25 - destroy

Verse 12

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

12:15; 16:25; 30:12; Matthew 7:13,14; Luke 13:24; Romans 6:21; Galatians 6:3; Ephesians 5:6; James 1:22

Reciprocal: Judges 17:6 - right;  Judges 17:13 - General;  Judges 21:25 - right;  Psalm 1:6 - way;  Psalm 119:104 - false way;  Proverbs 25:8 - what;  Luke 8:18 - seemeth to have;  James 1:26 - seem

Verse 13

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

5:4; Ecclesiastes 2:2,10,11; 7:5,6; 11:9; Luke 16:25; James 4:9; Revelation 18:7,8

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 1:41 - as they;  Luke 6:25 - laugh

Verse 14

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

backslider

1:32; Jeremiah 2:19; 8:5; 17:5; Hosea 4:16; Zephaniah 1:6; Hebrews 3:12; 2 Peter 2:20-22

filled

1:31; 12:14; Ezekiel 22:31

a good

10; John 4:14; 2 Corinthians 1:12; Galatians 6:4,8

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:26 - looked;  Exodus 32:20 - made the;  Deuteronomy 30:17 - heart;  Judges 16:21 - and put out;  1 Samuel 28:15 - I am sore;  Psalm 109:17 - General;  Psalm 125:5 - As for such;  Proverbs 5:23 - in the;  Proverbs 12:21 - filled;  Jeremiah 17:13 - they that;  Hosea 11:7 - are bent;  Acts 11:24 - he was;  Hebrews 10:39 - we are

Verse 15

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

simple

4:26; 22:3; 27:12; Romans 16:18,19; Ephesians 4:14; 5:17; 1 John 4:1

the prudent

8; Amos 5:13; Acts 13:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:33 - evil beast;  2 Samuel 1:5 - How knowest;  2 Samuel 15:11 - their simplicity;  1 Kings 2:18 - Well;  Nehemiah 6:3 - And I sent;  Nehemiah 6:4 - and I answered;  Psalm 37:31 - steps;  Proverbs 7:7 - the simple;  Ezekiel 13:6 - made;  James 1:25 - looketh

Verse 16

A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

feareth

3:7; 16:6,17; 22:3; Genesis 33:9; 42:18; Nehemiah 5:15; Job 31:21-23; Psalms 119:120; 1 Thessalonians 5:22

the fool

7:22; 28:14; 29:9; 1 Kings 19:2; 20:10,11,18; Ecclesiastes 10:13; Mark 6:17-19,24,25; John 9:40

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:9 - pressed;  Numbers 22:27 - and Balaam's anger;  2 Chronicles 10:10 - My little finger;  2 Chronicles 18:26 - until I return;  Job 17:9 - hold on;  Proverbs 12:15 - way;  Proverbs 15:21 - a man;  Proverbs 18:6 - fool's;  Isaiah 56:2 - keepeth his;  Jeremiah 44:10 - neither;  Matthew 5:22 - fool;  2 Corinthians 7:11 - fear;  Hebrews 4:1 - us therefore;  1 Peter 1:17 - in fear

Verse 17

He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

that

29; 12:16; 15:18; 16:32; 22:24; 29:22; Ecclesiastes 7:9; James 1:19

a man

6:18; 12:2; Esther 3:6; 7:5,6; Isaiah 32:7; Jeremiah 5:26-29

Reciprocal: Proverbs 14:22 - err;  Proverbs 20:3 - but;  1 Corinthians 13:5 - is not;  Ephesians 4:31 - wrath;  Titus 1:7 - not soon

Verse 18

The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

inherit

3:35; 11:29; Jeremiah 16:19; 44:17; Matthew 23:29-32; 1 Peter 1:18

the prudent

4:7-9; 11:30; Daniel 12:3; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4

Reciprocal: Psalm 65:11 - crownest;  Proverbs 7:7 - the simple;  Acts 13:7 - a prudent

Verse 19

The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

Genesis 42:6; 43:28; Exodus 8:8; 9:27,28; 11:8; 2 Kings 3:12; Esther 7:7,8; Psalms 49:14; Isaiah 60:14; Micah 7:9,10,16,17; Malachi 4:3; Acts 16:39; Revelation 3:9

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:9 - hearkened

Verse 20

The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

poor

10:15; 19:7; Job 6:21-23; 19:13,14; 30:10

but

19:4,6; Esther 3:2; 5:10,11

the rich hath many friends

Heb. many are the lovers of the rich.

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:17 - to;  Leviticus 25:35 - thy brother;  1 Samuel 18:23 - a poor man;  Ecclesiastes 7:12 - wisdom;  Luke 14:12 - when

Verse 21

He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

that despiseth

11:12; 17:5; 18:3; Job 31:13-15; 35:5,6; Psalms 22:24; Luke 18:9; James 2:5,6,14-16

he that hath

31; 11:24,25; 19:17; 28:27; Psalms 41:1,2; 112:5,9; Ecclesiastes 11:1,2; Isaiah 58:7-12; Daniel 4:27; Matthew 25:34-46; Luke 6:30-36; Acts 20:35; Hebrews 6:12; 1 John 3:17-22

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:35 - thy brother;  Deuteronomy 15:4 - greatly bless;  Deuteronomy 24:19 - may bless;  Deuteronomy 26:12 - hast given it;  Job 30:25 - was;  Matthew 5:7 - are;  Matthew 25:35 - I was an;  Luke 10:37 - He that;  Romans 15:26 - the poor

Verse 22

Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

err

17; 12:2; Isaiah 32:7,8

but

Genesis 24:27; Psalms 25:10; 61:7; Matthew 5:7; John 1:17

devise

19:22; 2 Chronicles 6:8

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 2:6 - the Lord;  2 Samuel 15:20 - mercy;  Proverbs 24:8 - General

Verse 23

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

all

12:24; 28:19; John 6:27; Hebrews 6:10,11

but

10:10; Ecclesiastes 5:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12; 1 Timothy 5:13

Reciprocal: Judges 19:16 - his work;  Job 28:10 - every precious thing;  Proverbs 10:8 - but;  Proverbs 12:11 - tilleth;  Proverbs 16:26 - laboureth;  Ecclesiastes 3:9 - General;  Isaiah 19:15 - General;  Ephesians 4:28 - labour

Verse 24

The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

crown

Psalms 112:9; Ecclesiastes 7:11,12; Isaiah 33:6; Luke 16:9

foolishness

27:22; Psalms 49:10-13; Luke 12:19,20; 16:19-25

Verse 25

A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

5; Acts 20:21,26,27; 26:16-20; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Peter 3:3

Reciprocal: Proverbs 12:17 - that

Verse 26

In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

fear

3:7,8,25,26; 19:23; Genesis 31:42; Psalms 34:7-11; 112:1,6-8; 115:13,14; Ecclesiastes 7:18; Malachi 3:16-18; 4:2; Acts 9:31

his

18:10; Isaiah 26:20,21; Jeremiah 15:11; 32:39,40

Reciprocal: Genesis 7:1 - Come;  1 Samuel 23:17 - shall not;  1 Kings 18:3 - feared the Lord;  Job 4:6 - thy confidence;  Job 11:15 - thou shalt be;  Psalm 3:5 - the;  Psalm 46:1 - refuge;  Psalm 62:8 - God;  Psalm 115:11 - General;  Proverbs 1:33 - and shall;  Isaiah 32:17 - quietness;  Ezekiel 28:26 - safely;  Luke 12:5 - Fear;  2 Corinthians 4:8 - yet;  2 Corinthians 5:6 - we are always

Verse 27

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

a fountain

13:14; Isaiah 33:6; Revelation 21:6

to

2:10-18; 22:5; Psalms 18:5; Ecclesiastes 7:26

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 22:6 - the snares;  Proverbs 3:7 - fear;  Proverbs 16:6 - by the;  Proverbs 16:22 - a wellspring;  Proverbs 19:23 - fear;  Jeremiah 32:39 - they may;  Acts 9:31 - and walking

Verse 28

In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

Exodus 1:12,22; 1 Kings 4:20,21; 20:27; 2 Kings 10:32,33; 13:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 1:9 - the people;  Exodus 5:5 - General;  2 Samuel 19:7 - there;  2 Samuel 24:3 - General;  1 Chronicles 21:3 - The Lord;  Ezekiel 31:4 - waters;  1 Corinthians 12:22 - General

Verse 29

He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

slow

17; 15:18; 16:32; Numbers 12:3; Matthew 11:29; 1 Corinthians 13:4,5; James 1:19; 3:17,18

but

22:24,25; 25:8,28; Ecclesiastes 7:9; Daniel 3:19-25; Matthew 2:16

hasty

Heb. short. exalteth.

4:8; Ecclesiastes 10:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:6 - Abram;  1 Samuel 20:30 - Saul's;  1 Samuel 25:13 - Gird ye;  Job 20:2 - and for;  Psalm 37:8 - Cease;  Proverbs 17:14 - leave;  Proverbs 19:2 - and;  Proverbs 19:11 - deferreth;  Proverbs 20:3 - an;  Proverbs 21:5 - of every;  Proverbs 29:20 - words;  Ecclesiastes 7:8 - the patient;  Ecclesiastes 8:3 - not hasty;  Acts 19:36 - ye ought;  Ephesians 4:26 - ye

Verse 30

A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

sound

4:23; Psalms 119:80; 2 Timothy 1:7

envy

Job 5:2; Psalms 112:10; Acts 7:9; Romans 1:29; James 4:5

rottenness

3:8; 12:4; 17:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:1 - Rachel envied;  Genesis 31:1 - Jacob;  1 Kings 21:6 - Because;  Proverbs 27:4 - but;  Acts 5:17 - indignation;  Acts 17:5 - moved;  James 3:14 - if;  1 Peter 2:1 - envies

Verse 31

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

that oppresseth

17:5; 22:2,16,22,23; Job 31:13-16; Psalms 12:5; Ecclesiastes 5:8; Matthew 25:40-46

but

21; 19:17; Matthew 25:40; John 12:8; 2 Corinthians 8:7-9; 1 John 3:17-21; 4:21

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:14 - General;  Leviticus 25:35 - then;  Numbers 15:30 - reproacheth;  Deuteronomy 24:14 - General;  Job 20:19 - Because;  Job 30:25 - was;  Job 31:15 - Did not he;  Job 34:19 - they;  Psalm 10:9 - when;  Psalm 103:6 - executeth;  Proverbs 3:9 - General;  Proverbs 22:7 - rich;  Isaiah 58:10 - thou draw;  Ezekiel 18:7 - hath not;  Ezekiel 18:17 - hath taken;  Matthew 25:35 - I was an;  Matthew 25:45 - Inasmuch;  Luke 11:41 - rather;  Luke 14:13 - call;  Romans 15:26 - the poor;  Hebrews 6:10 - For;  James 2:6 - ye

Verse 32

The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

driven

Job 18:18; 27:20-22; Psalms 58:9; Daniel 5:26-30; John 8:21,24; Romans 9:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:3

the righteous

Genesis 49:18; Job 13:15; 19:25-27; Psalms 23:4; 37:37; Luke 2:29; 1 Corinthians 15:55-58; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 5:8; Philippians 1:21,23; 2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 14:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:14 - driven;  Genesis 38:10 - displeased;  Numbers 19:13 - his uncleanness;  Numbers 23:10 - the death;  2 Kings 1:4 - but shalt;  Job 7:6 - without hope;  Job 11:18 - because;  Job 14:10 - where is he;  Job 14:22 - his soul;  Job 18:14 - the king;  Job 20:11 - which shall lie;  Job 24:19 - so doth;  Job 36:20 - cut;  Psalm 9:17 - The wicked;  Psalm 16:9 - my flesh;  Psalm 37:38 - General;  Psalm 94:23 - cut them;  Proverbs 5:23 - shall die;  Proverbs 10:3 - the substance of the wicked;  Proverbs 10:28 - but;  Proverbs 11:7 - General;  Proverbs 21:12 - overthroweth;  Ecclesiastes 8:8 - neither;  Ecclesiastes 9:3 - after;  Isaiah 8:22 - driven to darkness;  Isaiah 38:18 - they that;  Ezekiel 3:18 - the same;  Ezekiel 18:24 - in his;  Ezekiel 32:21 - gone;  Ezekiel 32:27 - but;  Ezekiel 33:6 - he is;  Hosea 5:5 - fall in;  Luke 16:22 - the rich;  Romans 5:2 - and rejoice;  Romans 8:24 - saved;  Romans 12:12 - Rejoicing;  1 Corinthians 15:56 - sting;  1 Thessalonians 4:13 - which have;  2 Peter 2:12 - perish;  Revelation 22:11 - that is unjust

Verse 33

Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

12:16,23; 13:16; 15:2,28; 29:11; Ecclesiastes 10:3

Verse 34

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Righteousness

Deuteronomy 4:6-8; 28:1-14; Judges 2:6-14; Jeremiah 2:2-25; Hosea 13:1

but

Deuteronomy 28:15-68; 29:18-28; Psalms 107:34; Ezekiel 16:1-63; 22:1-23

any people

Heb. nations.

Reciprocal: Proverbs 11:11 - the blessing;  Lamentations 5:16 - woe;  Ezekiel 28:15 - till iniquity

Verse 35

The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

king's

19:12,13; 20:8,26; 22:11; 25:5; 29:12; Psalms 101:4-8; Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-48

him

10:5; 17:2; 19:26 Reciprocal: Genesis 39:4 - overseer;  Proverbs 13:15 - Good;  Proverbs 16:13 - General;  Jeremiah 15:1 - my mind;  Romans 13:3 - rulers