1The designs of the heart are man's, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord. 2All a man's ways are clean to himself; but the Lord puts men's spirits into his scales. 3Put your works into the hands of the Lord, and your purposes will be made certain. 4The Lord has made everything for his purpose, even the sinner for the day of evil. 5Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord: he will certainly not go free from punishment. 6By mercy and good faith evil-doing is taken away: and by the fear of the Lord men are turned away from evil. 7When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his haters be at peace with him. 8Better is a little with righteousness, than great wealth with wrongdoing. 9A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps. 10Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging. 11True measures and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work. 12Evil-doing is disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness. 13Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what is upright is dear to him. 14The wrath of the king is like those who give news of death, but a wise man will put peace in place of it. 15In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain. 16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver. 17The highway of the upright is to be turned away from evil: he who takes care of his way will keep his soul. 18Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit before a fall. 19Better it is to have a gentle spirit with the poor, than to take part in the rewards of war with men of pride. 20He who gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his faith in the Lord is happy. 21The wise-hearted will be named men of good sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased. 22Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is their foolish behaviour. 23The heart of the wise man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips. 24Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones. 25There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death. 26The desire of the working man is working for him, for his need of food is driving him on. 27A good-for-nothing man is a designer of evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire. 28A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends. 29A violent man puts desire of evil into his neighbour's mind, and makes him go in a way which is not good. 30He whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips shut tight makes evil come about. 31The grey head is a crown of glory, if it is seen in the way of righteousness. 32He who is slow to be angry is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he who takes a town. 33A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
1 The renewing grace of God alone prepares the heart for every good work. This teaches us that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing wise and good. #2|. Ignorance, pride, and self-flattery render us partial judges respecting our own conduct. #3|. Roll the burden of thy care upon God, and leave it with him, by faith and dependence on him. 4|. God makes use of the wicked to execute righteous vengeance on each other; and he will be glorified by their destruction at last. #5|. Though sinners strengthen themselves and one another, they shall not escape God's judgments. #6|. By the mercy and truth of God in Christ Jesus, the sins of believers are taken away, and the power of sin is broken. #7|. He that has all hearts in his hand, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him. #8|. A small estate, honestly come by, will turn to better account than a great estate ill-gotten. #9|. If men make God's glory their end, and his will their rule, he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace. 10. Let kings and judges of the earth be just, and rule in the fear of God. #11|. To observe justice in dealings between man and man is God's appointment. 12|. The ruler that uses his power aright, will find that to be his best security. #13|. Put those in power who know how to speak to the purpose. #14,15|. Those are fools, who, to obtain the favour of an earthly prince, throw themselves out of God's favour. #16|. There is joy and satisfaction of spirit, only in getting wisdom. #17|. A sincerely religious man keeps at a distance from every appearance of evil. Happy is the man that walks in Christ, and is led by the Spirit of Christ. #18|. When men defy God's judgments, and think themselves far from them, it is a sign they are at the door. Let us not fear the pride of others, but fear pride in ourselves. #19|. Humility, though it exposes to contempt in the world, is much better than high-spiritedness, which makes God an enemy. He that understands God's word shall find good. #21|. The man whose wisdom dwells in his heart, will be found more truly prudent than many who possess shining talents. #22|. As waters to a thirsty land, so is a wise man to his friends and neighbours. #23|. The wise man's self-knowledge, always suggests something proper to be spoken to others. #24|. The word of God cures the diseases that weaken our souls. #25|. This is caution to all, to take heed of deceiving themselves as to their souls. #26|. We must labour for the meat which endureth to everlasting life, or we must perish. 27,28|. Ungodly men bestow more pains to do mischief than would be needful to do good. The whisperer separates friends: what a hateful, but how common a character! #29,30|. Some do all the mischief they can by force and violence, and are blind to the result. #31|. Old people especially should be found in the way of religion and godliness. #32|. To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy. #33|. All the disposal of Providence concerning our affairs, we must look upon to be the determining what we referred to God; and we must be reconciled to them accordingly. Blessed are those that give themselves up to the will of God; for he knows what is good for them.