John Wesley Commentary on Proverbs Chapter 23

Proverbs, Chapter 23

1: Ruler - With a great man.

2: Put a knife - Restrain thine appetite, as if a man stood with a knife at thy throat.

3: Deceitful - They do not yield thee that satisfaction which thou didst expect from them.

4: Thine own wisdom - From worldly wisdom, which persuades men to use all possible means to get riches.

5: Set thine eyes - Look upon it with earnestness and desire. Is not - Which has no solid and settled being. Eagle - Swiftly, strongly, and irrecoverably.

6: Evil eye - Of the envious or covetous man.

7: So is he - You are not to judge of him by his words, but by the constant temper of his mind.

8: Vomit up - When thou perceivest his churlish disposition, his meat will be loathsome to thee. Sweet words - Thy pleasant discourse wherewith thou didst design to delight and profit him.

9: Of a fool - Cast not away good counsels upon incorrigible sinners.

10: Enter not - To possess their lands.

11: Redeemer - Heb. their near kinsman, to whom it belongs to avenge their wrongs, and to recover and maintain their rights.

13: Shall not die - It is a likely way to prevent his destruction.

16: My reins - I shall rejoice with all my soul.

18: An end - An expected and happy end for such as fear God.

19: Guide - Order the whole course of thine affections and actions. In the way - In God's way.

23: Buy - Purchase it upon any terms, spare no pains or cost. Truth - The true and saving knowledge of God's will. Sell it not - Do not forsake it for any worldly advantage.

26: Give me - Solomon here speaks in God's name.

30: Mixt wine - Either mixed with water, or with other ingredients to make it strong and delicious.

31: Red - Which was the colour of the best wines in that country. Aright - When it sparkles, and seems to smile upon a man.

34: Lieth down - To sleep. Sea - In a ship in the midst of the sea.

35: Sick - I was not sensible of it. Again - At present my condition requires sleep to settle myself, and when I am composed, I purpose to return to my former course.

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