Proverbs 4:1-27 ESV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:14

Enter not into the path of the wicked - Never associate with those whose life is irregular and sinful; never accompany them in any of their acts of transgression. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:15

Avoid it - Let it be the serious purpose of thy soul to shun every appearance of evil. Pass not by it - Never, for the sake of worldly gain, or through complaisance to others, approach the way that thou wouldst not wish to be found in when God calls thee into the eternal world. Turn from it - If, through unwatchfulness or unfaithfulness, thou at any time get near or into the way of sin, turn from it with the utmost speed, and humble thyself before thy Maker. And pass away - Speed... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:16

Except they have done mischief - The night is their time for spoil and depredation. And they must gain some booty, before they go to rest. This I believe to be the meaning of the passage. I grant, also, that there may be some of so malevolent a disposition that they cannot be easy unless they can injure others, and are put to excessive pain when they perceive any man in prosperity, or receiving a kindness. The address in Virgil, to an illnatured shepherd is well known: - Et cum vidisti... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:17

For they eat the bread of wickedness - By privately stealing. And drink the wine of violence - By highway robbery. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:18

But the path of the just - The path of the wicked is gloomy, dark, and dangerous; that of the righteous is open, luminous, and instructive. This verse contains a fine metaphor; it refers to the sun rising above the horizon, and the increasing twilight, till his beams shine full upon the earth. The original, היום נכון עד ואור הולך holech vaor ad nechon haiyom , may be translated, "going and illuminating unto the prepared day." This seems plainly to refer to the progress of the rising sun... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:21

Keep them in the midst of thine heart - Let them be wrapped up in the very center of thy affections; that they may give spring and energy to every desire, word, and wish. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:23

Keep thy heart with all diligence - " Above all keeping," guard thy heart. He who knows any thing of himself, knows how apt his affections are to go astray. For out of it are the issues of life - חיים תוצאות totseoth chaiyim , "the goings out of lives." Is not this a plain allusion to the arteries which carry the blood from the heart through the whole body, and to the utmost extremities? As long as the heart is capable of receiving and propelling the blood, so long life is continued.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:24

A froward mouth - Beware of hastiness, anger, and rash speeches. And perverse lips - Do not delight in nor acquire the habit of contradicting and gainsaying; and beware of calumniating and backbiting your neighbor. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:26

Ponder the path of thy feet - Weigh well the part thou shouldst act in life. See that thou contract no bad habits. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:27

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left - Avoid all crooked ways. Be an upright, downright, and straight-forward man. Avoid tricks, wiles, and deceptions of this kind. To this the Septuagint and Vulgate add the following verse: Αυτος δε ορθας ποιησει τας τροχιας σου, τας δε πορειας σου εν ειρηνη προαξει . Ipse autem rectos faciet cursus tuos; itinera autem tua in pace producet . "For himself will make thy paths straight and thy journeyings will he conduct in prosperity." The Arabic... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:27

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