The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 216

guide them in the right way, and give them for concrete. Others trn.nslate, "godless success in their undertakings with the hope," or " expectation that bringeth grief," blessing ol' God (comp. ver. 5). Septnagint, or "strong, self-confident men ; " "men in " the perfection of the straightforward " tbe fulness of their vigour." But the ren- (eh. x. 9). The perverseness (seleph) ; dering of the Authorized Version ia well eh. xv. 4, and there only. Vulgate, supported, a.nd the two clauses are co- supplantatio ; Septuagint, ~1ro/1',cel\.1trµ.6,, ordinate. The Septuagint, in order to "the tripping up," making others falJ, accentuate the implied antithesis, has seem- putting a stumbling-block in others' way. ingly altered the text, and introduced a Transgressors; treacherous and deceitful. thought which favours the immortality of Such persons shall be caught in their own the soul, "When a righteous man dieth, net (Ps. xxxv. 8); they not only bring hope perisheth not; but the boast of the • punishment on themselves when their evil wicked perisheth" (Wisd. iii. 18). designs are discovered and frustrated, but Ver. 8.-0ut of trouble; i.e. God is at they ruin their moral nature, lose alJ sense hand to help the righteous out of straits of truth and right, and are rejected of Goel. (de angustia, Vulgate); or takes him away This clause and the following verse arG from the evil to come (Isa. )vii. 1 ; Wisd. iv. omitted in the Vatican and some other 10--14). Septuagint, "eecapeth from the manuscripts of the Septuagint. chase." In his stead (eh. xxi. 18). The Ver. 4.-Proftt not ; afford no refuge ( eh. evil from which the righteous is saved falls x. 2). In the day of wrath (eh. vi. 34), upon the wicked. As Abraham says to Dives when God visits individuals or nations to in the parable, "He is comforted, but thou punish them for sin (comp. Ecclus. v. 8). art tormented" (Luke xvi. 25). Of this Such visitations are often spoken of (comp. substitution many instances occur in Scrip- Isa. x. 3 ; Ezek. vii. 19 ; Zeph. i. I 5, 18, etc.). ture. Thus Haman was hanged on the More especially will this be true in the gallows which he had erected for Mordecai great dies irm. 'Righteousness . . . death (Esth. vii. 10); Daniel's accusers were cast (see on eh. x. 2; and comp. Tobit iv. 10; into the den of lions from which he was xii. 9). The Septuagint here adds a sentence saved (Dan. vi. 24; comp. Isa. xliii. 4). which is similar to ver. 10: "When the Ver. 9.-An hypocrite (chaneph); simula- righteous dieth he leaveth regret, but the wr, Vulgate. So translated continually in destruction of the wicked is easy and Job, e.g. viii. 13; xiii. 16, etc. Others take delightsome (,rp6xe,pos ,c,il i1rixtip-ros)." it to mean "profane," " godless." Such a Ver. 5.-The perfect; the upright and man, by his falsehoods, insinuations, and honest. Vulgate, "simple;" Septuagint, slanders, destroys his neighbour as far as he "blameless." Shall direot-make straight is able (eh. xii. 6). Septuagint, "In the or smooth-his way ( eh. iii. 6). The good mouth of the wicked is a snare for fellow- man, not blinded by passion, follows a safe citizens." Through knowledge. By the and direct path of life; hut the wicked, led knowledge which the just possess, and by his own evil propensions, and losing the which they display by judicious counsel, light of conscience (John xi. 10), stumbles peace and safety are eeonred. Septuagint, and falls. Septuagint, " Righteousness "Knowledge aftords an eusy path (,~060,) cntteth straight (op8o-roµ.ii) blameless paths, for the just." but ungodliness walketh in iniquity." 'Op8o- Ver. 10.-The city; any oity. Ewald -roµ.lr,, occurs in eh. iii. 6, and nowhere else would argue that such language could not in the Septuagint. St. Paul adopts the be used of the capital of the Jews till the word in 2 'rim. ii. 15. times of Asa or Jehoshaphat. But what i~ Ver. 6.-An emphatic reiteration of the to prevent the sentence being taken gene- preceding sentences. Naughtiness; "strong rally of any city or community ? The desire," as eh. x. 3, which leads to sin ( eh. Vatican manuscript of the Septuagint and v. 22 ; Micah vii. 3). The indulgence of some others give here only the first clause, their passions destroys sinners. Septua- "In the prosperity of the righteous the city gint, "Transgressors are taken by lack of succeeds,'' adding from ver. 11, "but by the counsel." mouths of the wicked it is overthrown" (see Yer. 7.-His expeotation; thut which he on ver. 4; comp. Pe. lviii. 10, etc.). hoped for and set hie heart upc,n, worldly Ver. 11.-This verse gives the reason of prosperity, long life, impunity,-ull are out the rejoicing on the t_wo occasio~~ just oft', and the moral government of God is mentioned ( comp. eh. xiv. 34; xxvm. 12). confirmed, by bis death (Ps. lxxiii. 17-19). By the blessing of the upright ; i.e. their (For "the hope of the ungodly," see the righteous acts, counsels, and p~yers (Wis~. forcible expressions in Wisd. v. 14.) Of vi. 24 ). By the mouth of the W1eked. The1:r unjust men; Vulgate, sollicitwum; Septua- impious language and evil advice bring ruin gint, .,..,,, a.11',{3wv. The word seems to mean upon a city. "v11,nHies," i.e. "men of vanity "-abstract Ver. 12.-He that is void of wisdom 216 'l'HE PROVERDS. [err. XI. 1-31.