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Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley, [1754-65], at sacred-texts.com


Proverbs Chapter 23

Proverbs 23:1

pro 23:1

Ruler - With a great man.

Proverbs 23:2

pro 23:2

Put a knife - Restrain thine appetite, as if a man stood with a knife at thy throat.

Proverbs 23:3

pro 23:3

Deceitful - They do not yield thee that satisfaction which thou didst expect from them.

Proverbs 23:4

pro 23:4

Thine own wisdom - From worldly wisdom, which persuades men to use all possible means to get riches.

Proverbs 23:5

pro 23:5

Set thine eyes - Look upon it with earnestness and desire. Is not - Which has no solid and settled being. Eagle - Swiftly, strongly, and irrecoverably.

Proverbs 23:6

pro 23:6

Evil eye - Of the envious or covetous man.

Proverbs 23:7

pro 23:7

So is he - You are not to judge of him by his words, but by the constant temper of his mind.

Proverbs 23:8

pro 23:8

Vomit up - When thou perceivest his churlish disposition, his meat will be loathsome to thee. Sweet words - Thy pleasant discourse wherewith thou didst design to delight and profit him.

Proverbs 23:9

pro 23:9

Of a fool - Cast not away good counsels upon incorrigible sinners.

Proverbs 23:10

pro 23:10

Enter not - To possess their lands.

Proverbs 23:11

pro 23:11

Redeemer - Heb. their near kinsman, to whom it belongs to avenge their wrongs, and to recover and maintain their rights.

Proverbs 23:13

pro 23:13

Shall not die - It is a likely way to prevent his destruction.

Proverbs 23:16

pro 23:16

My reins - I shall rejoice with all my soul.

Proverbs 23:18

pro 23:18

An end - An expected and happy end for such as fear God.

Proverbs 23:19

pro 23:19

Guide - Order the whole course of thine affections and actions. In the way - In God's way.

Proverbs 23:23

pro 23:23

Buy - Purchase it upon any terms, spare no pains or cost. Truth - The true and saving knowledge of God's will. Sell it not - Do not forsake it for any worldly advantage.

Proverbs 23:26

pro 23:26

Give me - Solomon here speaks in God's name.

Proverbs 23:30

pro 23:30

Mixt wine - Either mixed with water, or with other ingredients to make it strong and delicious.

Proverbs 23:31

pro 23:31

Red - Which was the colour of the best wines in that country. Aright - When it sparkles, and seems to smile upon a man.

Proverbs 23:34

pro 23:34

Lieth down - To sleep. Sea - In a ship in the midst of the sea.

Proverbs 23:35

pro 23:35

Sick - I was not sensible of it. Again - At present my condition requires sleep to settle myself, and when I am composed, I purpose to return to my former course.


Next: Proverbs Chapter 24