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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Proverbs 4:14 - 4:27
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Warning against Wickedness
v. 14. Enter not into the path of the wicked, to join them in their godless conduct, and go not in the way of evil men, such behavior being incompatible with true wisdom.
v. 15. Avoid it, pass not by it, not only by ignoring, but by utterly rejecting the way of evil, turn from it and pass away, if one should inadvertently have strayed into such paths.
v. 16. For they, the wicked, sleep not except they have done mischief, the fact that they have not committed some trespass keeps the sleep from their eyes; and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall, by betraying others and leading them into sin.
v. 17. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence, of violent deeds, they seem to derive their strength from wicked acts, their means of subsistence are obtained in that manner.
v. 18. But the path of the just is as the shining light, like the growing brightness of dawn as it heralds and ushers in the day, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day, growing brighter with each succeeding minute, the comparison of the moral conduct of the righteous with the light of the rising sun being most appropriate; for he goes forward to ever greater clearness and perfection, not only in his inward knowledge, but also in its outward manifestation.
v. 19. The way of the wicked is as darkness, directly opposite to that of the righteous; they know not at what they stumble, they flounder around in immorality, going from bad to worse in their behavior.
v. 20. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings, the admonition and warning going out once more, with a special reference to the ruinous consequences which the forgetting and ignoring of wisdom is sure to bring about.
v. 21. Let them not depart from thine eyes, so that they escape when vigilance is relaxed for so much as a moment; keep them in the midst of thine heart, so that this treasure will not be lost.
v. 22. For they are life unto those that find them, cf Pro_3:2; Pro_3:16; Pro_4:13, and health to all their flesh, to their whole body, since observing them results not only in moral and mental, but also in physical advantages, by a healthful reaction.
v. 23. Keep thy heart with all diligence, literally, "more than every object of watching guard thy heart," the seat of moral life; for out of it are the issues of life, as Jesus also points out, Mat_12:35; Mat_15:19.
v. 24. Put away from thee a froward mouth, deceitful and malicious speaking, and perverse lips, those misdirected toward evil, put far from thee.
v. 25. Let thine eyes look right on, straight ahead, without any self-seeking, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee, intent upon the duties of each day and hour.
v. 26. Ponder the path of thy feet, making it straight, avoiding errors and sins, and let all thy ways be established, the entire conduct guided by wise forethought.
v. 27. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left, to by-paths of evil; remove thy foot from evil, withdrawing it at once in case of danger. The entire admonition may fitly be summarized in the words of the Lord: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak," Mat_26:41.