Proverbs 28:1–28

 ¹ The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. ² Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged. ³ A poor man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. ⁴ Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them. ⁵ Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all. ⁶ Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. ⁷ Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father. ⁸ One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor. ⁹ One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. ¹⁰ Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; But the blameless will inherit good. ¹¹ The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out. ¹² When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. ¹³ He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. ¹⁴ Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. ¹⁵ Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people. ¹⁶ A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. ¹⁷ A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him. ¹⁸ Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. ¹⁹ He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! ²⁰ A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. ²¹ To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. ²² A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him. ²³ He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue. ²⁴ Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, “It is no transgression,” The same is companion to a destroyer. ²⁵ He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered. ²⁶ He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. ²⁷ He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses. ²⁸ When the wicked arise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.

Commentary 

Vs. 1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. 

Because the wicked live in expectation of wrath and judgment (just as everyone who has guilty conscience does), so they are apt to flee when no one pursues them. In contrast the righteous are as bold as a lion, for their lives are being lived right with God, and so their consciences are clear. They need not fear being exposed, or arrested, or simply overtaken by sins and transgressions. 

Vs. 2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged. 

Moral and ethical corruption within a nation, especially the leadership of a nation, always leads to all kinds deep abiding problems and upheaval (consider Pr. 14:34). However, where there is a man of understanding and knowledge, who knows God’s truth and declares and lives by as much, right will be prolonged. It’s no coincidence then that the Gospel preachers and teachers helped to form the moral fabric of Western Europe and eventually the New World, all which has been steadily and rapidly undermined these last decades, and thus we are starting to reap once again what happens when people turn from God and turn to their own ways, when everybody does what is right in their own eyes! 

Vs. 3 A poor man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. 

When a poor man rises to power and rules, and he himself begins to oppress the poor, instead of then acting like their deliver, he only becomes one who takes away their expectation and hope and drives them into greater despair. 

Vs. 4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them. 

When people forsake God’s law, the moral precepts and ethical principals that make for everyone's peace and well being, (or even the just laws that govern the land), and thus begin to live corrupt and evil lives, yes, they will praise the wicked of which they have now become akin too. However, those who keep the law, and thus keep living justly and soundly and righteously, they will contend with them. For the two are always juxtaposed to each other (consider Pr. 29:27). 

Vs. 5 Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all. 

Evil people do not understand justice because they’re conscience (they’re moral compass) is skewed. However those who seek the Lord gain discernment and understanding from Him (consider Job 32:7-9; Psalm 119:100). 

Vs. 6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. 

A poor man who walks in his integrity (who is honest and fair in his dealings with people) is far better off that a person who is deceitful and unjust even though he be rich, for his riches will not deliver him in the day of wrath (consider Psalm 49). 

Vs. 7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father. 

There is a discernment that comes from keeping the law; that comes from living righteously before God, and so when a man has such a son, he is a discerning son who clearly sees the many pitfalls and troubles that come to all those who live in sin, and so he stays clear of them. However an undiscerning son does not consider that who he befriends will not only affect him personally, but also his father as well, for he will bear shame (and likely much grief and debt) because of his careless choices. 

Vs. 8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor. 

God makes sure that those who acquire wealth by unjust and evil means, (here extortion, and usury which is charging interest on money loaned to a brother in need. For we as God’s people are never to profit off of each others misfortune and poverty), and so those that do so will have their wealth find a place with those who will pity the poor. 

Vs. 9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. 

Those who think that they can pray to God and have Him hear them while they are casting aside His Word and His truths (and thus they are only living by their own "truth") are only deceiving themselves. For God does not hear the prayer's of the proud and wicked, only the humble and repentant. 

Vs. 10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; But the blameless will inherit good. 

Those who seek to induce the righteous into sin will fall into their own pit. While those who are blameless in their ways will inherit good. 

Vs. 11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out. 

The rich man is always wise in his own eyes, especially as he seeks to increase his riches, however the poor man who has understanding, who knows that having wealth does not equate with having wisdom, searches him out; that is, he exposes him for what he has done, or is doing wrong to get his wealth. 

Vs. 12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. 

The righteous openly rejoice and celebrate when righteous men rule, because truth and justice will prevail during their tenure, but when a wicked man reigns people have to hide themselves.  

OR 

When the righteous rejoice there is great glory because truth, righteousness, and justice have prevailed, but when a wicked man reigns people have to hide themselves, because no one is safe during their tenures. 

Vs. 13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. 

This verse is not teaching that salvation comes by confessing one’s sins, or that having unconfessed sins leads to eternal damnation. For we receive forgiveness of all of our sins only through the grace of God the moment we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:13-14). And that is the judicial forgiveness, the remission of all our sins, of our now and forever being fully justified in the sight of God, that we have received through God’s grace by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ because He suffered and died on the Cross for us all. Thus, this verse, and verses like 1 John 1:9 are teaching us that when we sin as a believer, since there is no one who does not sin (1 John 1:8, 10, also consider 1 Kings 8:46-50), that we can now have mercy from God our Father when we confess our sins to Him. For our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is in heaven and He is always acting as our Advocate before Him. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:14-16). Therefore, if you have fallen out of fellowship with God turn to Him in a spirit of repentance and faith and confess to Him what you have done and He will have mercy on you! 

Vs. 14 Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. 

Those who have a healthy fear of the Lord will remain happy or blessed. But those who harden their hearts against Him will fall into calamity. 

Vs. 15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people. 

The tyrant ruler only instills great fear in those he rules. His tenure is not one of joy and peace, but only one of harshness, cruelty, and severe oppression. And sadly it is the poor (those most in need of justice and representation and relief from oppression) who will bear the brunt of his evil ways. 

Vs. 16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. 

A ruler who lacks understanding, not only rules with an iron fist, but he rules with an utter indifference towards those he is set over. And so, by heavily burdening and oppressing his own people he only sets them all against himself. While the ruler who considers his peoples plights and welfare, who doesn’t seek to make himself rich at their expense, will not only prolong his days, but also his tenure (consider 1 Kings 11:43-1 Kings 12:19).  

Vs. 17 A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him. 

When the murderer flees seeking to escape his own guilt let no one help him. For no one (not even his own family) should ever try to assist such an individual flee from, or avoid justice. 

Vs. 18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. 

The person who walks blamelessly will be saved, not only from judgment in this life but also the many pitfalls and sorrows that come to those who are perverse in their ways. While the perverse person, the one who is crooked in their ways, will find themselves suddenly falling, that is suddenly and without warning they will be taken down, whether by lawful authority, or by their own their perverse ways, or by something even orchestrated, arranged, or permitted by God Himself, and so they’re own perverse ways will lead to their sudden and unexpected ruin. 

Vs. 19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! 

Just as the Book of Proverbs reveals and warns about in so many places, for in all labor there is profit! Thus, the one who puts in the work and effort will reap a bountiful harvest, while the one who follows frivolity, who spends their life and time doing and pursuing nothing but worthless activities will have poverty enough.  

Vs. 20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. 

Those who are faithful to God and to others will abound with blessings, they will be rewarded for their generosity, honesty, and integrity; while the person who only hastens to get rich will not go unpunished, sooner or later they will be exposed and found out! 

Vs. 21 To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. 

Throughout the Scripture showing partiality is condemned as unrighteous behavior (consider Duet. 1:17; Ezk. 13:19; Mic. 3:11; Mal. 2:9; Acts 10:34-35; 1 Tim. 5:21 etc.). And so here we are once again being warned about doing so, because showing partiality to anyone only opens the door for corruption to enter in. 

Vs. 22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him. 

The evil eye here represents a persons covetous heart which is set on gaining wealth for themselves, not God (consider Matt. 6:22-24). And so such people often become through their own covetousness and greed victims to the innumerable and very questionable investment and get rich schemes that promise much, but deliver little or nothing, that people like themselves endlessly dream up. Better then to step back and reconsider ones course then to rush headstrong into ones own financial ruin and poverty! 

Vs. 23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue. 

Once again, we are admonished to speak the truth in love, to rebuke a friend, brother or sister, before they go astray. For you will find more favor with them than if you had only flattered them with your tongue, and thus encouraged them to do what they themselves wanted to do, but was only going to harm them, or others in the end. Again, wise people don’t want a bunch of “yes men” surrounding them, who are always affirming what they themselves think and say. Wise people want counselors that will give them true Godly counsel, even when it contravenes their own thoughts, plans, desires. 

Vs. 24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, “It is no transgression,” The same is companion to a destroyer. 

Someone who robs his parents (and yet can excuse his own evil deed, saying it is no transgression) is by their very actions and indifference to their crime, a companion (a cohort) of Satan the destroyer! 

Vs. 25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered. 

The proud person with their overt aggression in striving to get ahead of everyone else (and always at the expense of everyone else) always stirs up strife. In contrast the person who trusts in the Lord, who is humble, honest, and fair, and does need to push themselves to the front of the line, or put others down, they will be prospered. 

Vs. 26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. 

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it (Jer. 17:9). Therefore, to trust in one’s own heart, which will lead you astray, is only to be fool! In contrast those who walk wisely, because they are being guided by God’s Word, will be delivered from not only self-made troubles, but also much judgment as well. 

Vs. 27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses. 

Here the Word of God promises that by being generous towards the poor one will not lack. While those who turn a willful blind eye to those who are in need will have many curses. 

Vs. 28 When the wicked arise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase. 

The rise of the wicked to power always causes men to hide themselves, however when the wicked perish, the righteous increase, because truth and justice prevails! 

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Proverbs 27:1–27

  Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. ² Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. ³ A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, But a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them. ⁴ Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, But who is able to stand before jealousy? ⁵ Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed. ⁶ Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. ⁷ A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. ⁸ Like a bird that wanders from its nest Is a man who wanders from his place. ⁹ Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel. ¹⁰ Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. ¹¹ My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him who reproaches me. ¹² A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished. ¹³ Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger, And hold it in pledge when he is surety for a seductress. ¹⁴ He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It will be counted a curse to him. ¹⁵ A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike; ¹⁶ Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand. ¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. ¹⁸ Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; So he who waits on his master will be honored. ¹⁹ As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man. ²⁰ Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied. ²¹ The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, And a man is valued by what others say of him. ²² Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his foolishness will not depart from him. ²³ Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds; ²⁴ For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations. ²⁵ When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in, ²⁶ The lambs will provide your clothing, And the goats the price of a field; ²⁷ You shall have enough goats’ milk for your food, For the food of your household, And the nourishment of your maidservants. 

Commentary 

Vs. 1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. 

People who boast about doing this or that fail to realize that they themselves control neither their own lives, nor their circumstances (consider Ecc. 9:12; also 8:7-8; Psalm 49:6-9; Job 14:5). For one day you maybe on top of the world, and the next day you may be buried in it! Be humble then, not shamelessly boastful because no is assured of life (consider Luke 12:16-21; James 4:13-17; 1 Peter 1:24-25). 

Vs. 2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. 

Glorifying oneself is never glory, for nobody looks on that with admiration, rather people will admire you when someone else praises you for doing what is good and sound and right, and so not only will you have glory in the presence of others, but that will bring joy to your spirit and true glory to God who enabled you! 

Vs. 3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, But a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them. 

The wrath of the fool is such that a man would be better off to bear a heavy load then bear it! 

Vs. 4 Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, But who is able to stand before jealousy? 

A person’s wrath can be cruel, and their anger can come on you like a torrent, yet these can be endured and or appeased, and in time they will subside, but jealously is such that it only festers and seethes inside a person and it fuels the worst kinds of lasting enmity and hatred. 

Vs. 5 Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed. 

To rebuke someone; to try to turn them from the error of their ways; is to love them. In contrast love that is not shown in either affection or rebuke is a love that does not exist. Therefore, don’t hide your affections from your loved ones, and don’t be silent or look the other way when they go astray! 

Vs. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. 

A true friend will say those things that need to be said to you, while an enemy will only smile and remain silent! Beware then of an enemies kind gestures and words, for they are not friends to you! For they are not seeking your well being. 

Vs. 7 A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

The spiritual principal of this proverb is seen in all of those who in searching for God find themselves caught up in cults, or false spiritual worship practices, or who sadly willingly submit and subject themselves to the doctrines and commandments of men, who turn the love and grace of God into doing dead works for salvation (consider Rom. 4:4-5; 10:2-4), all which is a most bitter experience. And yet because they are so spiritually hungry, they put up with them (consider Matt. 15:1-9; 2 Cor. 11:19-22; Gal. 2:4-5; 4:9-10. 17; 5:1, 13; Col. 2:8-10; 1 Tim. 4:1-3 etc.). While we who have come to truly know God through the Lord Jesus Christ in grace and truth have no such desires. For our souls are completely satisfied with Him and what He has done for us all, and so we do not need to, nor do we want to return to either the law as a means of justification, nor will we keep the doctrines and commandments of men (John 1:14; Gal. 3:21-25). 

Vs. 8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest Is a man who wanders from his place. 

A man who steps out of his place, and places himself in a seat or position that is not fitting of him, of his Spiritual gifts and calling, is apt to failure or a fall. 

Vs. 9 Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel. 

Just as a good medicinal ointment, or the fragrance of a fine perfume delight (sooth) the heart, so to does the counsels of a trusted friend bring much consolation. 

Vs. 10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. 

Two things are being admonished here, first is to keep those close personal and family friends’ relationships intact, for they will be there for you when you need them most. Second is always cultivate good relations with your neighbors, for again in the day of your calamity or need they will be there for you, rather than running to a brother’s house who is far away, which is indicating a brother who is emotionally detached from you. For trying to reconcile with him in your time of need may not go well. 

Vs. 11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him who reproaches me. 

The call here is to prove the wisdom of one’s father, spiritually for us this is done by our obeying the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (consider 1 Peter 2:15). 

Vs. 12 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished. 

A recalling of 22:3 this proverb counsels us all to be wise, to repent and believe in the Gospel while we can, and do not be like those who ignore God’s call, and thus carry on in their sins and transgressions, and thus they will suffer the vengeance of the eternal fire (2 Thess. 1:6-10). 

Vs. 13 Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger, And hold it in pledge when he is surety for a seductress. 

When someone is acting as a guarantor of debts for people who have questionable abilities to pay their debts, or they are guaranteeing the debts of those who are of a low moral character, be sure that when you have any dealings with them, that you yourself legally secure everything you own from them. 

Vs. 14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It will be counted a curse to him. 

Nobody likes to be woken up early in the morning, especially on the weekend, after a hard week at work! Therefore, don’t go to your friend’s house early in the morning unexpectedly, and then expect them to be thankful that you did. 

Vs. 15-16 A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike; ¹⁶ Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand. 

Who can endure the annoying dripping of water in a pan on a very rainy day, especially when you can’t go outside and get away from its noise? This then is likened to the contentious woman/wife who is in one’s life. For she is never satisfied, she is never appeased, and she will never stop nagging and pestering you, for that is her nature. And when her angry is aroused, which is more often than not, you will not be able to restrain her contentious spirit, just as you cannot restrain the wind, or grasp oil with your hand. Stay away from her then and let someone else marry her! 

Vs. 17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. 

Just as a knifes edge is sharpened and honed by drawing it across a hardened steel rod. So too does the healthy interactions one has with one’s friends and piers in sharing ideas, debating subject matters, (for we all need to be enlightened or corrected from time to time), and so through these we likewise sharpen and hone our own understanding. Even laughing together has very beneficial effects on one’s growth and understanding, as well ones overall well being. Self isolation then not only leads to ones own self deception and ruin, but sadly it can lead to the ruin of others as well. 

Vs. 18 Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; So he who waits on his master will be honored. 

There is a reward for both doing and serving faithfully that naturally plays out in the world, and so here we told that serving one’s master faithfully (which for us who believe in God is our serving the Lord Jesus Christ) means that one day He will, God the Father will, honor us for doing so (see John 12:26). Now how we do this is as diverse as all of creation itself and all of the problems in it. For where there is a need there is a ministry (consider Matt. 25:31-46).

Vs. 19 As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man. Just as water reflects the face of a man, so too does his heart reveal what kind of person he really is. And often this is revealed in times of crises, tragedies, emergencies, and or pressing needs, by how he responds to them. 

Vs. 20 Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied. 

Just as hell and destruction are never full, i.e., never say enough, (consider Prov. 30:16), so too the eyes of man (i.e., the covetous heart of man) is never satisfied (Ecc. 5:10). Its why millionaires are not satisfied with their millions, and billionaires are not satisfied with their billions, for there are those kinds of people whose “hearts” always want more! And like hell and destruction is never satisfied, sadly, this will come at your and my wellbeing’s expense. 

Vs. 21 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, And a man is valued by what others say of him. 

Just as silver is refined in the smelting pot, and gold is formed by the furnaces fire, so too there is a way for a man to be valued, and its by what others say of him, and not what he himself exalts himself to be. For self praise only reveals a very ego centric person, same if one always thinks themselves worthy and deserving of praise and honor, they only show themselves to be vain and lacking any genuine thankfulness or humility. 

Vs. 22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his foolishness will not depart from him. 

Such is the nature of a fool that even with severe chastening (along with enlightening words) you will not be able to drive his foolishness from him. 

Vs. 23-27 ²³ Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds; ²⁴ For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations. ²⁵ When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in, ²⁶ The lambs will provide your clothing, And the goats the price of a field; ²⁷ You shall have enough goats’ milk for your food, For the food of your household, And the nourishment of your maidservants. 

Here the Godly virtues of diligence and being watchful are clearly expounded to us all. And even though an agriculture setting is being used here; where these very real principals are daily seen and experienced; these very wise principals apply well beyond that setting, and especially to all leadership settings, or wherever one is placed in a position of trust or authority, from the state’s highest office to the family head, and to every Christian who has been entrusted with the greatest gift of all, "Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations." 

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

 

Proverbs 26:1–28

¹ As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool. ² Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight. ³ A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back. ⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. ⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes. ⁶ He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. ⁷ Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools. ⁸ Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool. ⁹ Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools. ¹⁰ The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages. ¹¹ As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly. ¹² Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. ¹³ The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!” ¹⁴ As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed. ¹⁵ The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. ¹⁶ The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly. ¹⁷ He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears. ¹⁸ Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, ¹⁹ Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!” ²⁰ Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. ²¹ As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. ²² The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. ²³ Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross. ²⁴ He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself; ²⁵ When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart; ²⁶ Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. ²⁷ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. ²⁸ A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.

Commentary 

Vs. 1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool. 

Just as it is not becoming for it snow in the summer, or rain during the harvest; both of which only ruin the crops; neither is it fitting then to give honor to a fool, which likewise is only ruinous to all that is good and sound and just and right, for they will prove themselves unworthy of it, as well it also encourages others to live foolish lives, and people don’t fear God and repent when folly is exalted. 

Vs. 2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.

Just as both of these small insignificant birds fly about in the air but never really harm anyone, neither then will a curse without a cause harm anyone. Therefore, we are not to fear those given to occult practices, or those who worship idols, because they and their idols can do neither good nor evil. Consider Genesis 12:3; Jer. 10;5; also, Isaiah 41;23-24; 46;7. 

Vs. 3 A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back. 

Just as the rider’s whip makes the horse run, and the bridle brings the stubborn donkey under control, so too a rod to the fool’s back is necessary to correct him. For wise and just words spoken to him will not change him. 

Vs. 4-5 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. ⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes. 

Here we are warned about answering a fool according to his folly. That is we are not to become like them in rebuking them. And so, if he rages and uses all kinds of swear words, don’t you also lose your temper and do the same. Instead answer him according to his folly, in a spirit of self control, then God will let your rebuke weigh heavily upon him. For to let a fools folly go unrebuked is only going to make them wise in their own eyes. 

Vs. 6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 

Sending a message by a fool is akin to cutting off one’s own feet and drinking violence, thus it is to only undermine oneself so badly that one will be left crippled and helpless because they will not deliver your message wisely, but instead they will only stir up all kinds of rage and wrath against you. Tact, Diplomacy! 

Vs. 7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 

Teaching a proverb to a fool is pointless for they will never use it in their lives, nor will they use their mouths to enlighten others through it, but they will use their lives and mouths to do and to speak all kinds of foolishness and madness. 

Vs. 8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool. 

Here we get a graphic image of how giving honor to a fool will only come back to hurt you! Don't do it! 

Vs. 9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 

Just as the intoxicated drunk has little regard for a thorn in his hand, so too does the fool have little regard for a proverb in his mouth. 

Vs. 10 The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages. 

What more needs to be said, God Himself repays the fool and the transgressor. That said, God Himself likewise restores the fool and the transgressor to Himself, for He changes their person (2 Cor. 5:17), when they repent and believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ! 

Vs. 11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly. 

This proverbs imagery is not only graphic and disgusting, but also enlightening (consider 2 Peter 2:20-22). 

Vs. 12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 

Here we are warned about the arrogant, self-assured individual, the one who thinks themselves wise, because to think oneself wise one must be willfully blind to one’s own sins, errors, and needs. And so, such people are impossible to deal with, because they will not allow themselves to see themselves as they truly are: insufficient, inadequate, and utterly incapable of doing and understanding all things, just as we all are! And thus, because they are wise in their own eyes, they are apt to fall into all kinds of pitfalls that will ruin them, or others, because we all need counsel and guidance and instruction from those who strengths in other areas surpass our own. That’s a fundamental reality that we all must face that God alone is Wise and He alone Understands all things, which is clearly not any of us (Rom. 16:27; Jude 25 etc.). Thus, there is more hope for a fool then for them, because a fool may have a change of heart when they stumble and fall, and suffer the consequences of their bad choices and decisions, but the self-assured arrogant individual never feels they need anyone’s advice or counsel, not even God’s Counsels, for they and their choices and decisions are never wrong in their own eyes, even when they falter. 

Vs. 13 The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!” 

Verses 13-16 all carry within them the rebuke of the lazy man. And so here in verse thirteen we first see how the lazy man comes up with the wildest and most outlandish excuses for their not going and doing their work. And yet so absurd and unreal is their excuses that it would make one laugh if not for the fact the lazy man has already convinced himself of the "reality" of them. For the lazy person will always find an excuse to justify their own laziness. Employers take note. 

Vs. 14 As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed. 

Picture the creaky door swinging back and forth on its hinges, (it never goes anywhere, it never does anything, other then swing back and forth on its hinges), this then is the picture of the lazy man on his bed. And so there he is just tossing and turning from side to side, from mourning till night, for he too never gets up and does anything useful and productive. 

Vs. 15 The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. 

Such is the nature of the lazy man that even in his gluttony it wearies him to bring his hand back to his mouth after burying it in the bowl, to only to scoop up another handful for his overfed mouth. 

Vs. 16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly. 

For me this is the most annoying part of the lazy persons personality, that though they themselves do nothing, and achieve nothing; because they’re to lazy to try to do or learn anything; yet they still think themselves wiser than seven men (a perfect number) who can actually answer sensibly, men and women who live useful and productive lives, and thus become blessings to us all, and not just a moral and social drag on society. 

Vs. 17 He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears. 

Entering into another person’s quarrel is here likened to taking a dog by the ears, which is only to put oneself in a very perilous position! For either one or the other, or both of them may quickly turn on you! 

Vs. 18-19 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, ¹⁹ Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!” 

People do not like to be mislead, people do not like to be lied too, and then told afterwards that it was only a joke or prank after the harm has come to them. 

Vs. 20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. 

Take the wood away from the fire and it soon goes out, just as taking the gossip away from your fellowship will cause all the strife and disharmony to cease. 

Vs. 21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. 

The nature of the contentious person is such that they cannot but feed the fires of contention, rather then putting them out. 

Vs. 22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. 

Though one may gladly listen to all the tales of the talebearer, yet they themselves will not be immune from the negative effects and impacts. 

Vs. 23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross. 

One who speaks with conviction and passion, and yet is doing so from a wicked heart, that then is likened to earthenware covered with silver dross, and there is nothing beautiful or desirable about that, indeed all their words are of little substantive value. 

Vs. 24-26 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself; ²⁵ When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart; ²⁶ Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. 

Here the smooth talker is exposed. And so even though he has trained himself to hide his hatred and malice and envy and lust, and all of his evil schemes and intentions (i.e., seven abominations) by his speaking kindly to you, do not believe him! For deceit is not only with him, but it is within him! And even he doesn’t know the deeps that he will go. And so, though his hatred is covered by his own self deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before all! 

Vs. 27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. 

The evil persons schemes will always turn upon them and ultimately will undermine them. For God is in heaven and He rewards everyone according to their work and their ways (consider Psalm 7:14-16; 9:15-16). 

Vs. 28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin. 

The one who lies about others, the slanderer who is only motivated by his hatred of others, does not have any empathy for those he seeks to crush and ruin. While the flatter does so only seeking to induce someone into a fall. Nothing good then comes from either of them.

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.