Proverbs 13:13 - Exposition

Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed. "The word" is either the commandment of God ( Deuteronomy 30:14 ), or warning and instruction. He who despises and neglects this word "brings on himself destruction." Many good authorities take the latter verb in another sense, "is pledged by it;" as Revised Version in margin, "maketh himself a debtor thereto," i.e. is still bound to fulfil his obligations to it; he cannot escape duty by ignoring or despising it, but is pledged to do it, and will suffer for its neglect. Hence Christ's injunction to agree with our adversary quickly while we are in the way with him ( Matthew 5:25 ). Vulgate, "He who disparages ( detrahit ) anything binds himself for the future." Septuagint, "He who despises a thing ( πράγματος , τάγματυς , 'a command') shall be despised by it." Virtus se contemnentem contemnit. He that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded ( Proverbs 11:31 ). The Vulgate rendering, "shall live in peace," and that of the Septuagint, "shall be healthful," are not so suitable. The "fearing the commandment" implies obedience to it; and reward is considered as fully pledged to obedience as punishment is to neglect. The Septuagint here adds a distich which Ewald regards as genuine, "Unto a crafty son there shall be nothing good; but to a wise servant all actions shall prosper, and his way shall be guided aright." This is also found in the Vulgate of Proverbs 14:15 . The Vulgate here inserts the paragraph found in the Septuagint at Proverbs 14:9 ( q.v .), Animae dolosae errant in peccatis; justi autem misericordes sunt et miserantur.