*H Set not thy heart upon unjust possessions, and say not: I have enough to live on: for it shall be of no service in the time of vengeance and darkness.
Ver. 1. Unjust. The translator styles riches unjust, because they often proceed from, or tend to injustice. They can afford no protection in death. Ps. xlviii. 17. Lu. xii. 19. and xvi. 9. C.
*H Follow not in thy strength the desires of thy heart:
Ver. 2. Heart. If no man can oppose thee, remember God's judgments. W.
*H And say not: How mighty am I? and who shall bring me under for my deeds? for God will surely take revenge.
Ver. 3. How mighty am I? is not in Gr. though read by S. Cyp. and S. Aug. Spec. — Sennacherib's vain boasting was soon punished. Is. xxxvii. 36. C.
*H Say not: I have sinned, and what harm hath befallen me? for the most High is a patient rewarder.
Ver. 4. Rewarder. Gr. "is long-suffering, he will not let thee escape."
*H Be not without fear about sin forgiven, and add not sin upon sin:
Ver. 5. And add. Gr. "to add." Take not occasion from God's goodness to offend him. H. — He will punish at last. Jans. — Though you may have taken pains to repent, are you assured of being forgiven? Eccle. ix. 1. A relapse calls for greater severity, though the graces of God are without repentance. Rom. xi. 29. He does not recal his favours, but he hates the ungrateful, v. 6. Bell. Just. iii. 4. C. — Satisfaction must be made even after the sin has been remitted. W. — This may be feared. M.
*H For mercy and wrath quickly come from him, and his wrath looketh upon sinners.
Ver. 7. Looketh. Gr. "shall rest" in hell, to punish the abuse of mercy. H.
* Footnote * Proverbs 10 : 6
The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just: but iniquity covereth the mouth of the wicked.*H Delay not to be converted to the Lord, and defer it not from day to day.
Ver. 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." S. Aug. Ps. cxiv.
* Footnote * Proverbs 11 : 4
Riches shall not profit in the day of revenge: but justice shall deliver from death.* Footnote * Proverbs 11 : 28
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the just shall spring up as a green leaf.*H Be steadfast in the way of the Lord, and in the truth of thy judgment, and in knowledge, and let the word of peace and justice keep with thee.
Ver. 12. The way. Greek, "thy knowledge or sentiment, and let thy speech be one," (H.) that men may depend upon thee.
*H Be meek to hear the word, that thou mayst understand: and return a true answer with wisdom.
Ver. 13. Word. Comp. adds, "of God." But the Rom. edit. has, "be quick to hear, and answer slowly." Jam. i. 19. "It is safer to hear than to preach." S. Aug. lix. in Jo. — Constancy in virtue will obtain the promised peace. W.
*H If thou have understanding, answer thy neighbour: but if not, let thy hand be upon thy mouth, lest thou be surprised in an unskilful word, and be confounded.
Ver. 14. Lest. Gr. "honour and infamy is in speech; and the tongue of man proves his ruin." H. — Nothing can be productive of better or of worse consequences. Prov. xviii. 21. C.
*H Be not called a whisperer, and be not taken in thy tongue, and confounded.
Ver. 16. Be. Gr. "ensnare not by thy tongue, (17.) for evil confusion is upon the thief, and great condemnation on the double-tongued. (18.) Be not ignorant in any thing, great or small." H. — The detractor is more dangerous than the thief. He pierces without being seen. Eccle. x. 11. Prov. xxvi. 20. Rom. i. 29.
*H Justify alike the small and the great.
Ver. 18. Great. Only examine the justice of the cause; or, according to the Greek, commit no fault of ignorance, nor say, "I did not think." C. — Acknowledge thy friend in his poverty, as well as in his greatness. H.