Verse 1. Buildeth - Maintains and improves her family and estate. Her hands - By her idleness or sin.

Verse 3. A rod - His insolent speeches as they are like a rod, offensive to others, so, they make a rod for their own backs.

Verse 4. The crib - The stable is empty of food for cattle, and much more for man. In the same sense cleanness of teeth is put for famine, Amos iv, 6. The strength - By their labours, or by diligence in husbandry, which then was principally managed by oxen.

Verse 6. Findeth it not - Because he doth not seek it aright. That understandeth - That is honest and pious.

Verse 8. His way - Consists not in vain speculations, but in a diligent study of his duty, and of the way to eternal happiness. The folly - The wit of ungodly men, which is really their folly, is employed only in finding out ways of deceiving.

Verse 9. favour - They find favour both with God and men.

Verse 10. Bitterness - The inward griefs and joys of mens hearts, are not known to any but a man's self.

Verse 12. Right - There are some evil courses which men may think to be lawful and good. The end - The event shews that they were sinful and destructive.

Verse 13. In laughter - The outward signs of joy are often mixed with real sorrow.

Verse 14. In heart - He who departs from God inwardly. Filled - With the fruit of his ways, the punishment of his sins. Satisfied - From the pious temper of his own heart, which cleaves to the Lord, he shall receive unspeakable comfort.

Verse 15. The simple - A foolish man. Looketh - He orders his dealings in the world with due circumspection, not considering so much what other men say as what he ought to do.

Verse 16. Feareth - Trembles at God's judgments when they are either inflicted or threatened. Rageth - Frets against God; or is enraged against his messengers. Confident - Secure and insensible of his danger.

Verse 17. Foolishly - His passion hurries him into foolish speeches and actions. Wicked devices - One who suppresses his passion, but meditates revenge. Hated - Both by God and men.

Verse 18. Inherit - They possess it as their inheritance, holding it fast, and glorying in it. Knowledge - The saving knowledge of God and of their own duty.

Verse 19. The evil - Good men shall have the pre-eminency over the wicked.

Verse 20. Hated - Despised and abandoned.

Verse 21. Despiseth - That does not pity and relieve the poor.

Verse 23. The talk - Idle talking will bring a man to poverty.

Verse 24. Riches - They are a singular advantage and ornament to them. But - As for rich fools, their folly is not cured, but made worse and more manifest by their riches.

Verse 25. Souls - Such as are innocent, from false accusations.

Verse 27. To depart - To preserve men from destructive courses.

Verse 29. Exalteth - Hebrew. lifteth up, like a banner, makes it known and visible to all men.

Verse 30. A sound heart - Free from envy and inordinate passions. Is life - Procures and maintains the health and vigour of the body.

Verse 31. His maker - Whose image the poor man bears, by whose providence he is made poor, and who hath declared himself to be their protector and avenger.

Verse 32. Driven away - In his death, from God's favour and presence. Death - In his greatest dangers and distresses, yea even in death itself.

Verse 33. Resteth - Is laid up and hid there. In the midst - In the heart. Made known - They will publish in all times and companies.