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and by understanding it is established:</div>XXIV</span><p>(3) <span class= "bld">Through wisdom is an house builded.—</span>See above on <a href="/proverbs/14-1.htm" title="Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.">Proverbs 14:1</a>.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-4.htm">Proverbs 24:4</a></div><div class="verse">And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.</div>(4) <span class= "bld">All precious and pleasant riches.—</span>Not only earthly wealth, but the “true riches” (<a href="/luke/16-11.htm" title="If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?">Luke 16:11</a>), the knowledge and love of God. (Comp. note on <a href="/proverbs/23-23.htm" title="Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.">Proverbs 23:23</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-5.htm">Proverbs 24:5</a></div><div class="verse">A wise man <i>is</i> strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.</div>(5) <span class= "bld">A man of knowledge increaseth strength.—</span>For the spiritual sense, comp. <a href="/2_peter/3-18.htm" title="But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.">2Peter 3:18</a>.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-6.htm">Proverbs 24:6</a></div><div class="verse">For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers <i>there is</i> safety.</div>(6) <span class= "bld">Wise counsel.—</span>See above on <a href="/proverbs/1-5.htm" title="A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain to wise counsels:">Proverbs 1:5</a>. In the great spiritual fight also (<a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm" title="For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.">Ephesians 6:12</a>) we need wise counsel, to see the end to be aimed at, and the means of attaining it.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-7.htm">Proverbs 24:7</a></div><div class="verse">Wisdom <i>is</i> too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.</div>(7) <span class= "bld">Wisdom is too high for a fool.—</span>For “wisdom” (literally, <span class= "ital">wisdoms</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>comp. note on <a href="/proverbs/1-20.htm" title="Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets:">Proverbs 1:20</a>. He has been too self-willed to learn; so while others express their opinions when the business or justice of his city is being transacted (see above on <a href="/proverbs/22-22.htm" title="Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:">Proverbs 22:22</a>) he has to remain sheepishly silent.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-9.htm">Proverbs 24:9</a></div><div class="verse">The thought of foolishness <i>is</i> sin: and the scorner <i>is</i> an abomination to men.</div>(9) <span class= "bld">The thought of foolishness is sin.—</span>Rather, <span class= "ital">Sin is the contrivance </span>(<span class= "ital">plotting</span>)<span class= "ital"> of self-will. </span>Sin is the “transgression of the law” of God (<a href="/1_john/3-4.htm" title="Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.">1John 3:4</a>), when we desert the plain rule of duty, and plot how we can indulge our own self-will.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-10.htm">Proverbs 24:10</a></div><div class="verse"><i>If</i> thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength <i>is</i> small.</div>(10) <span class= "bld">If thou faint in the day of adversity.—</span>And prove unable to help thyself or others; an exhortation to courage (comp. <a href="/hebrews/12-12.htm" title="Why lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;">Hebrews 12:12</a>). A “more excellent way” is shown in the following verse.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-11.htm">Proverbs 24:11</a></div><div class="verse">If thou forbear to deliver <i>them that are</i> drawn unto death, and <i>those that are</i> ready to be slain;</div>(11) <span class= "bld">If thou forbear </span>. . .—Rather, <span class= "ital">Deliver those that are taken to death, and those that are tottering to the slaughter, stop them!</span><p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-12.htm">Proverbs 24:12</a></div><div class="verse">If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider <i>it</i>? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth <i>not</i> he know <i>it</i>? and shall <i>not</i> he render to <i>every</i> man according to his works?</div>(12) <span class= "bld">If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not.—</span>Man being too much inclined to answer after the manner of Cain (<a href="/genesis/4-9.htm" title="And the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?">Genesis 4:9</a>), “Am I my brother’s keeper?” when he might give aid to those who need it.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-14.htm">Proverbs 24:14</a></div><div class="verse">So <i>shall</i> the knowledge of wisdom <i>be</i> unto thy soul: when thou hast found <i>it</i>, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.</div>(14) <span class= "bld">So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul.</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">Know </span>(or understand) <span class= "ital">that wisdom is such </span>(equally sweet and good) <span class= "ital">for thy soul.</span><p><span class= "bld">A reward.</span>—Literally, <span class= "ital">a future. </span>(Comp. <a href="/proverbs/23-18.htm" title="For surely there is an end; and your expectation shall not be cut off.">Proverbs 23:18</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-16.htm">Proverbs 24:16</a></div><div class="verse">For a just <i>man</i> falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.</div>(16) <span class= "bld">For a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again.</span>—That is, falls into trouble (not <span class= "ital">sin, </span>as is often supposed). Therefore thy malice will be of no avail, for God’s protection is about him. (Comp. <a href="/job/5-19.htm" title="He shall deliver you in six troubles: yes, in seven there shall no evil touch you.">Job 5:19</a>; <a href="/psalms/34-19.htm" title="Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all.">Psalm 34:19</a>; <a href="/psalms/37-24.htm" title="Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholds him with his hand.">Psalm 37:24</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Seven times</span>—<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>frequently. (Comp. <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm" title="Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?">Matthew 18:21</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-18.htm">Proverbs 24:18</a></div><div class="verse">Lest the LORD see <i>it</i>, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.</div>(18) <span class= "bld">And he turn away his wrath from him.—</span>Upon thee as having sinned more deeply than thine enemy in thus rejoicing at his misfortunes. (Comp. <a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm" title="Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.">Proverbs 17:5</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-19.htm">Proverbs 24:19</a></div><div class="verse">Fret not thyself because of evil <i>men</i>, neither be thou envious at the wicked;</div>(19) <span class= "bld">Fret not thyself because of evil men—</span><span class= "ital">i.e., </span>at the sight of their prosperity, the same difficulty which occurred to the Psalmist (<a href="/psalms/37-1.htm" title="Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be you envious against the workers of iniquity.">Psalm 37:1</a>). (Comp. also <a href="/psalms/73-3.htm" title="For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.">Psalm 73:3</a> and <a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm" title="Righteous are you, O LORD, when I plead with you: yet let me talk with you of your judgments: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? why are all they happy that deal very treacherously?">Jeremiah 12:1</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-20.htm">Proverbs 24:20</a></div><div class="verse">For there shall be no reward to the evil <i>man</i>; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.</div>(20) <span class= "bld">For there shall be no reward.</span>—Literally, <span class= "ital">future, </span>as in <a href="/proverbs/24-15.htm" title="Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:">Proverbs 24:15</a>.<p><span class= "bld">The candle of the wicked shall be put out·—</span>See above on <a href="/proverbs/13-9.htm" title="The light of the righteous rejoices: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.">Proverbs 13:9</a>.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-21.htm">Proverbs 24:21</a></div><div class="verse">My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: <i>and</i> meddle not with them that are given to change:</div>(21) <span class= "bld">Them that are given to change.—</span>Perhaps rather, <span class= "ital">those who think differently.</span><p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-22.htm">Proverbs 24:22</a></div><div class="verse">For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?</div>(22) <span class= "bld">The ruin of them both</span>—<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, the rebels against God and the king.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-23.htm">Proverbs 24:23</a></div><div class="verse">These <i>things</i> also <i>belong</i> to the wise. <i>It is</i> not good to have respect of persons in judgment.</div>6.SECOND APPENDIX TO “THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON,” CONTAINING PROVERBS OF VARIOUS LENGTHS, RESEMBLING <a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm" title="The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.">Proverbs 1:7</a>—9:18, AND THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES (<a href="/context/proverbs/24-23.htm" title="These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.">Proverbs 24:23-34</a>).<p>(23) <span class= "bld">These things also belong to the wise—</span><span class= "ital">i.e., </span>have the wise for their authors. (Comp. <a href="/proverbs/1-6.htm" title="To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.">Proverbs 1:6</a>; <a href="/proverbs/22-17.htm" title="Bow down your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge.">Proverbs 22:17</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-26.htm">Proverbs 24:26</a></div><div class="verse"><i>Every man</i> shall kiss <i>his</i> lips that giveth a right answer.</div>(26) <span class= "bld">Every man shall kiss his lips </span>. . . Rather, <span class= "ital">He kisseth the lips that giveth right answers. </span>His words are as pleasant as if he had kissed the inquirer’s lips.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27</a></div><div class="verse">Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.</div>(27) <span class= "bld">Prepare thy work without </span>. . .—Method in work is here advised; first till the ground, and then build the house which will be maintained by the produce of the field. In the spiritual life, too, we should seek to “perceive and know what things we ought to do,” if we are not to waste time and energy upon unsuitable and unattainable objects.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-28.htm">Proverbs 24:28</a></div><div class="verse">Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive <i>not</i> with thy lips.</div>(28) <span class= "bld">Without cause</span>—<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, do not mention thy neighbour’s faults unless for some good reason, not for malice or love of gossip.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-29.htm">Proverbs 24:29</a></div><div class="verse">Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.</div>(29) <span class= "bld">Say not, I will do so to him as he</span> <span class= "bld">hath done to me.</span>—A wonderful anticipation this of New Testament teaching, very different from the spirit of <a href="/context/leviticus/24-19.htm" title="And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbor; as he has done, so shall it be done to him;">Leviticus 24:19-20</a>. Comp. <a href="/proverbs/20-22.htm" title="Say not you, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save you.">Proverbs 20:22</a>, and <a href="/james/2-13.htm" title="For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment.">James 2:13</a>, “For he shall have judgment without mercy that shewed no mercy.”<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-30.htm">Proverbs 24:30</a></div><div class="verse">I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;</div>(30) <span class= "bld">I went by the field of the slothful </span>. . .—The parable of the vineyard let out to husbandmen for them to render the fruits in due season (<a href="/matthew/21-33.htm" title="Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and dig a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to farmers, and went into a far country:">Matthew 21:33</a>), and of the thorns which choked the word (<span class= "ital">ibid., </span><a href="/proverbs/13-7.htm" title="There is that makes himself rich, yet has nothing: there is that makes himself poor, yet has great riches.">Proverbs 13:7</a>), suggest a spiritual meaning for this passage. It warns us not to allow the weeds of evil habits to spring up in the garden of the soul through sloth, nor to suffer God’s protecting care (the wall) to be withdrawn from us because we have not sought it constantly in prayer.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Proverbs 24:34</a></div><div class="verse">So shall thy poverty come <i>as</i> one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.</div>(34) <span class= "bld">As one that travelleth.—</span>See above on <a href="/proverbs/6-11.htm" title="So shall your poverty come as one that travels, and your want as an armed man.">Proverbs 6:11</a>.<p><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers<br /><br />Text Courtesy of <a href="//biblesupport.com" target="_top">BibleSupport.com</a>. 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