Proverbs 19

1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

Proverbs 18

1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Sermon on Proverbs 17:6

Proverbs 17

1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Sermon on Proverbs 16:1-7

Matthew Henry on Provebs 16:1, 9

Verse 1
As we read this, it teaches us a great truth, that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing of ourselves that is wise and good, but that all our sufficiency is of God, who is with the heart and with the mouth, and works in us both to will and to do, Phi 2:13; Psa 10:17. But most read it otherwise: The preparation of the heart is in man (he may contrive and design this and the other) but the answer of the tongue, not only the delivering of what he designed to speak, but the issue and success of what he designed to do, is of the Lord. That is, in short, 1. Man purposes. He has a freedom of thought and a freedom of will permitted him; let him form his projects, and lay his schemes, as he thinks best: but, after all, 1. God disposes. Man cannot go on with his business without the assistance and blessing of God, who made man's mouth and teaches us what we shall say. Nay, God easily can, and often does, cross men's purposes, and break their measures. It was a curse that was prepared in Balaam's heart, but the answer of the tongue was a blessing.

Verse 9
Man is here represented to us, 1. As a reasonable creature, that has the faculty of contriving for himself: His heart devises his way, designs an end, and projects ways and means leading to that end, which the inferior creatures, who are governed by sense and natural instinct, cannot do. The more shame for him if he do not devise the way how to please God and provide for his everlasting state. 2. But as a depending creature, that is subject to the direction and dominion of his Maker. If men devise their way, so as to make God's glory their end and his will their rule, they may expect that he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace, so that they shall not miss their way nor come short of their end. But let men devise their worldly affairs ever so politely, and with ever so great a probability of success, yet God has the ordering of the event, and sometimes directs their steps to that which they least intended. The design of this is to teach us to say, If the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that (Jam 4:14, Jam 4:15), and to have our eye to God, not only in the great turns of our lives, but in every step we take. Lord, direct my way, 1Th 3:11.

Proverbs 16

1 The ordering of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from Jehovah.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but Jehovah weighs the spirits.
3 Roll your works upon Jehovah, and your thoughts shall be established.
4 Jehovah has made all for His purpose; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone proud in heart is hateful to Jehovah; though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth, iniquity is purged, and by the fear of Jehovah men turn away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please Jehovah, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great gain without right.
9 A man's heart plans his way, but Jehovah directs his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; his mouth does not transgress in judgment.
11 A just weight and balance are Jehovah's; all the weights of the bag are His work.
12 It is a hateful thing for kings to commit wickedness; for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him who speaks right.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, but a wise man will quiet it.
15 In the light of the king's face is life, and his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The way of the upright is to turn away from evil; he who keeps his way guards his way.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of an humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He who handles a matter wisely shall find good, and whoever trusts in Jehovah, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent, and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.
26 He who labors works for himself, for his mouth craves it from him.
27 An ungodly man plots evil, and his lips are like a burning fire.
28 A perverse man causes fighting, and a whisperer separates chief friends.
29 A violent man lures his neighbor and makes him go in a way not good.
30 He shuts his eyes to think of perverse things; moving his lips, he brings evil to pass.
31 The gray head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing of it is from Jehovah.

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 15:1

Solomon, as conservator of the public peace, here tells us, 1. How the peace may be kept, that we may know how in our places to keep it; it is by soft words. If wrath be risen like a threatening cloud, pregnant with storms and thunder, a soft answer will disperse it and turn it away. When men are provoked, speak gently to them, and give them good words, and they will be pacified, as the Ephraimites were by Gideon's mildness (Jdg 8:1-3); whereas, upon a like occasion, by Jephthah's roughness, they were exasperated, and the consequences were bad, Jdg 12:1-3. Reason will be better spoken, and a righteous cause better pleaded, with meekness then with passion; hard arguments do best with soft words. 2. How the peace will be broken, that we, for our parts, may do nothing towards the breaking of it. Nothing stirs up anger, and sows discord, like grievous words, calling foul names, as Raca, and Thou fool, upbraiding men with their infirmities and infelicities, their extraction or education, or any thing that lessens them and makes them mean; scornful spiteful reflections, by which men affect to show their wit and malice, stir up the anger of others, which does but increase and inflame their own anger. Rather than lose a jest some will lose a friend and make an enemy.

Proverbs 15

1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.
3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but crookedness in it is a break in the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who listens to correction is wise.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but in the gain of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the righteous send forth knowledge, but the heart of the foolish is not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is a hateful thing to Jehovah, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is hateful to Jehovah, but He loves him who pursues righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous to him who forsakes the way; he who hates reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are before Jehovah; even more the hearts of the sons of men.
12 A scorner does not love one who corrects him, nor will he go to the wise.
13 A merry heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but gladness of heart is a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of Jehovah than great treasure and tumult with it.
17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred with it.
18 A wrathful man stirs up fighting, but one slow to anger calms fighting.
19 The way of the lazy one is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him who is without any wisdom, but a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22 Without wisdom, purposes are defeated, but by many wise men they are established.
23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word in due season, how good it is!
24 The way of life is above to the wise, so that he may turn away from hell below.
25 Jehovah will destroy the house of the proud, but He will set up the border of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are very hateful to Jehovah, but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studies to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 Jehovah is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart; a good report makes the bones fat.
31 The ear that hears the reproof of life shall remain among the wise.
32 He who refuses instruction despises his own soul, but he who hears reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.

Sermon on Proverbs 15:27

Proverbs 14

1 A wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.
2 He who walks in his uprightness fears Jehovah, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise shall keep them.
4 Where no cattle are, the stall is clean, but much gain is by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness will speak lies.
6 A scorner seeks wisdom, and it is not found, but knowledge is easy to him who understands.
7 Go from before a foolish man when you do not see in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the wise is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools laugh at sin, but among the righteous there is favor.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share in its joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown, but the tent of the upright shall be blessed.
12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of that joy is heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, but a good man from himself.
15 The simple believes every word, but the wise man watches his step.
16 A wise one fears and departs from evil, but the fool rages and is sure.
17 He who is soon angry acts foolishly, and a man of wicked plots is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the wise are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do not those who think evil go astray? But mercy and truth shall be to those who think of good.
23 In all labor there is gain, but the talk of the lips tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches of wisdom; the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies.
26 In the fear of Jehovah is strong hope, and His sons shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life to turn aside from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king's honor, but in the lack of people is the ruin of the prince.
29 He who is slow to wrath is of great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exalts folly.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh, but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31 He who presses the poor curses his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy upon the poor.
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, but the righteous has hope in his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but among fools it is made known.
34 Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin is a shame to any people.
35 The king's favor is toward a wise servant, but his wrath is against him who causes shame.

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 14:1

Note, 1. A good wife is a great blessing to a family. By a fruitful wife a family is multiplied and replenished with children, and so built up. But by a prudent wife, one that is pious, industrious, and considerate, the affairs of the family are made to prosper, debts are paid, portions raised, provision made, the children well educated and maintained, and the family has comfort within doors and credit without; thus is the house built. She looks upon it as her own to take care of, though she knows it is her husband's to bear rule in, Est 1:22. 2. Many a family is brought to ruin by ill housewifery, as well as by ill husbandry. A foolish woman, that has no fear of God nor regard to her business, that is wilful, and wasteful, and humoursome, that indulges her ease and appetite, and is all for jaunting and feasting, cards and the play-house, though she come to a plentiful estate, and to a family beforehand, she will impoverish and waste it, and will as certainly be the ruin of her house as if she plucked it down with her hands; and the husband himself, with all his care, can scarcely prevent it.

Evils of Gambling: Sermon on Proverbs 13:11

Proverbs 13

1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a scorner does not hear rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his mouth a man shall eat good, but the soul of the treacherous eats violence.
3 He who keeps his mouth keeps his life; he who opens his lips wide, it is ruin to him.
4 The soul of the sluggard desires and has nothing; but the soul of the hard worker shall be made fat.
5 The righteous hates lying, but the wicked one is odious and acts shamefully.
6 Righteousness guards the perfect of way, but wickedness subverts a sin-offering.
7 There are those who act rich, yet have nothing; and those who act poor, yet have great riches.
8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches, but the poor does not hear rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10 Only by pride comes argument, but with those who take advice is wisdom.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be taken away, but he who gathers by hand shall increase.
12 Hope put off makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Whoever despises the Word shall be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment shall be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding gives favor, but the way of traitors is ever flowing.
16 Every wise one deals with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into mischief, but a faithful ambassador is health.
18 Poverty and shame shall be to him who refuses instruction, but he who listens to correction shall be honored.
19 The desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but it is hateful to fools to turn from evil.
20 He who walks with the wise shall be wise, but a companion with fools shall be destroyed.
21 Evil pursues sinners, but to the righteous good shall be repaid.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his sons' sons, and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
23 Much food is in the plowed ground of the poor, but when there is no justice, it is swept away.
24 He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him chastens him early.
25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked shall lack.