SEV Biblia, Chapter 23:23
Compra la verdad, y no la vendas; la sabiduría, la enseñanza, y la inteligencia.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:23
Verse 23. Buy the truth ] Acquire the knowledge of God at all events; and in order to do this, too much pains, industry, and labour cannot be expended. And sell it not ] When once acquired, let no consideration deprive thee of it. Cleave to and guard it, even at the risk of thy life. CoverdaIe translates: "Labour for to get the treuth; sell not awaye wissdome."
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 23. Buy the truth, and sell [it] not , etc.] Evangelical truth, the word of truth, the Gospel of salvation, which comes from the God of truth; has Christ, who is the truth, for the stem and substance of it; men are directed and led into it by the Spirit of truth; the whole matter of it is truth; truth, in opposition to the law, that was typical and shadowy; to the errors of false teachers, to everything that is fictitious, or another Gospel; and to that which is a lie, for no lie is of the truth: there are several particular doctrines of the Gospel which are so called; those which respect the knowledge of one God, and three Persons in the Godhead; the deity and sonship of Christ, his incarnation and Messiahship, salvation alone by him, a sinner’s justification by his righteousness, and the resurrection of the dead; the whole of which is truth, and is an answer to Pilate’s question, ( John 18:38); and this men should “buy”, not books only, as Aben Ezra interprets it, such as explain and confirm truth, though these should be bought; and especially the Bible, the Scriptures of truth; yet this does not reach the sense of the text: nor is it merely to be understood of persons supporting the Gospel ministry with their purses, by which means truth is preserved, propagated, and continued: no price is set upon it, as being above all; it should be bought or had at any rate, let the expense be what it will: “buying” it supposes a person to have some knowledge of it, of the excellency, usefulness, and importance of it; and shows that he sets a value upon it, and has a high esteem for it: it is to be understood of his using all means and taking great pains to acquire it; such as reading the word, meditating upon it, attending on the public ministry, and fervent and frequent prayer for it, and a greater degree of knowledge of it; yea, it signifies a person’s parting with everything for it that is required; as with his former errors he has been brought up in, or has imbibed; with his good name and reputation, being willing to be accounted a fool or a madman, and an enthusiast, or anything for the sake of it; and even with life itself, when called for; and such a man will strive and contend for it, stand fast in it, and hold it fast, and not let it go, which is meant by “selling” it; truth is not to be sold upon any account, or for any thing whatever; it is not to be slighted and neglected; it should not be parted with neither for the riches, and honours, and pleasures of this life, nor for the sake of a good name among men, nor for the sake of peace, nor for the avoiding of persecution; it should he abode by, and not departed from, though the greater number is against it, and they the riots, the wise, and learned; and though it may be traduced as novel, irrational, and licentious, and be attended with affliction; [also] wisdom, and instruction, and understanding ; that is, buy these also, and sell them no; “wisdom” is to be prized above everything; it is the principal thing, and should be got; all means should he used to obtain it; it may be bought without money; it should be asked of God, who gives it liberally, and, being had, should be held fast: the “instruction” the Scriptures give, the instruction of the Gospel, the instruction of Wisdom, should be valued above gold and silver, and diligently sought after; should be laid fast hold on and not parted with: “understanding” of divine and spiritual things is to be gotten; happy is the man that gets it; and above all gettings this should be got, and all means made rise of to improve and increase it. The Targum, Syriac, and Vulgate Latin versions, connect these with the word sell only, thus, “buy the truth, and sell not wisdom, and instruction, and understanding”; but as buying and selling both refer to truth, so likewise to these also. The whole verse is wanting in the Septuagint and Arabic versions.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 19-28 - The gracious Saviour who purchased pardon and peace for his people with all the affection of a tender parent, counsels us to hear and be wise, and is ready to guide our hearts in his way. Here we have a earnest call to young people, to attend to the advice of their godl parents. If the heart be guided, the steps will be guided. Buy the truth, and sell it not; be willing to part with any thing for it. D not part with it for pleasures, honours, riches, or any thing in thi world. The heart is what the great God requires. We must not think to divide the heart between God and the world; he will have all or none Look to the rule of God's word, the conduct of his providence, and the good examples of his people. Particular cautions are given against sin most destructive to wisdom and grace in the soul. It is really a sham to make a god of the belly. Drunkenness stupifies men, and then all goes to ruin. Licentiousness takes away the heart that should be give to God. Take heed of any approaches toward this sin, it is very hard to retreat from it. It bewitches men to their ruin.
Original Hebrew
אמת 571 קנה 7069 ואל 408 תמכר 4376 חכמה 2451 ומוסר 4148 ובינה׃ 998
