Proverbs 23:9-35

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 23:9

We are here directed not to cast pearls before swine (Matt. 7:6) and not to expose things sacred to the contempt and ridicule of profane scoffers. It is our duty to take all fit occasions to speak of divine things; but, 1. There are some that will make a jest of every thing, though it be ever so prudently and pertinently spoken, that will not only despise a wise man's words, but despise even the wisdom of them, that in them which is most improvable for their own edification; they will... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 23:10-11

Note, 1. The fatherless are taken under God's special protection; with him they not only find mercy shown to them (Hos. 14:3) but justice done for them. He is their Redeemer, their Goöl, their near kinsman, that will take their part and stand up for them with jealousy, as taking himself affronted in the injuries done to them. As their Redeemer he will plead their cause against those that do them any injury, and, one way or other, will not only defend their right, and recover it for them, but... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 23:12-16

Here is, 1. A parent instructing his child. He is here brought in persuading him to give his mind to his book, and especially to the scriptures and his catechism, to attend to the words of knowledge, by which he might come to know his duty, and danger, and interest, and not to think it enough to give them the hearing, but to apply his heart to them, to delight in them, and bow his will to the authority of them. The heart is then applied to the instruction when the instruction is applied to the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 23:17-18

Here is, 1. A necessary caution against entertaining any favourable thoughts of prospering profaneness: ?Let not thy heart envy sinners; do not grudge them either the liberty they take to sin or the success they are to be pitied rather than envied. Their prosperity is their portion (Pr. 12:14), nay, it is their poison,? Prov. 1:32. We must not harbour in our hearts any secret discontent at the providence of God, though it seem to smile upon them, nor wish ourselves in their condition. ?Let not... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 23:19-28

Here is good advice for parents to give to their children; words are put into their mouths, that they may train them up in the way they should go. Here we have, I. An earnest call to young people to attend to the advice of their godly parents, not only to this that is here given, but to all other profitable instructions: ?Here, my son, and be wise, Prov. 23:19. This will be an evidence that thou art wise and a means to make thee wiser.? Wisdom, as faith, comes by hearing. And again (Prov.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 23:29-35

Solomon here gives fair warning against the sin of drunkenness, to confirm what he had said, Prov. 23:20. I. He cautions all people to keep out of the way of temptations to this sin (Prov. 23:31): Look not thou upon the wine when it is red. Red wine was in Canaan looked upon as the best wine, it is therefore called the blood of the grape. Critics judge of wine, among other indications, by the colour of it; some wine, they say, looks charmingly, looks so well that it even says, ?Come and drink... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:9

Speak not in the ears of a fool ,.... For it is only beating the air, and speaking to the wind; it is casting pearls before swine, and that which is holy to dogs. By the "fool" is meant a wicked man, one abandoned to sin, and hardened in it; that scoffs at all admonitions and reproofs, that derides the word, and the preachers of it, and makes a mock at all good men, and everything they say; and therefore what is serious and sacred should not be said to them, since it only becomes the object... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:10

Remove not the old landmark ,.... See Gill on Proverbs 22:28 ; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless ; to carry off the increase of them, to reap their wheat, or mow their grass, or turn in cattle to eat it; or to encroach upon them, take in any part of them, or join the whole to their own; for if there is a woe to them that lay field to field, much more to them that enter into and take the fields of the fatherless, and join them to their own, Isaiah 5:8 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:11

For their Redeemer is mighty ,.... As he must needs be, since the Lord of hosts is his name; who sympathizes with them, has mercy on them, is their father, and their friend; see Jeremiah 50:34 ; he shall plead their cause with thee ; or "against thee", as the Vulgate Latin version; and will certainly carry it for them, and against thee; for, when he undertakes a cause, he pleads it thoroughly. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:12

Apply thine heart unto instruction ,.... To the instruction of parents, and to the instruction of ministers of the word; to the Scriptures, which are profitable to instruction in righteousness; to the instruction of wisdom, or to the Gospel of Christ, which instructs in things relating to him, and to salvation by him: or, "bring in thine heart to instruction" F25 הביאה "adduc", Piscator; "vel fac ingredi", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus; "adduc et quasi praesens siste", Michaelis, ;... read more

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