Proverbs 28

Bad and good conscience, ver.1. Alteration of Rulers, and their long life, 2. Cruelty of one poor man against another, 3. Praising the wicked, and opposing them, 4. Right understanding, 15. Poor and rich, 6,11. Good and bad sorts, 7. Usury, 8. The prayers wicked, 9. Seducing, 10. Self-wisdom, good and bad government, 12,15,16,28. Confession of sins, 13. Fear of God, and hardening the heart, 14. Man-slayer, 17. Upright and perverse conversation, 18. Diligence and idleness, 19. Kings, 20,22. The office of a Judge, 21. Reproving and flattering, 23. To rob ones Parents, 24. Boldness, and confidence in God 25. Self confidence, and wisdom, 26. Alms-deeds and unmercifulness, 27.

1. The wicked flee, where (there) is no pursuer: [Compare Lev.26.36. Deut.28.28. Isa.57.21.] but every righteous man is bold, [to wit, by reason of the sure trust and confidence, which they put in God] as a young Lion. [which is ordinarily bolder, and less fearful then a Lions whelp, or an old Lion. Compare above chap.19. the annotate.on ver. 12. Oth. The righteous are as a young Lion, (which) is bold. Hebr. Is confident, or trusteth]

2. For the transgression of the Land [That is, of the inhabitants of the Land] many are the Princes thereof: [to wit, because one dieth soon his natural death, another is murdered and destroyed. See examples, 1 Kings 16. And 2 Kings 24. &c. Hereby great changes and alterations happen in a Land, which are very dangerous, and hurtful to the inhabitants] but for understanding (and) knowing mans state, (there) shall likewise be a lengthening. [To wit, of the life of a good Ruler, and of good government.]

3. A poor man, that oppresseth mean ones, [The poor man, that is an oppressor of the poor, is here especially named, because he ought to have more pity and compassion, then a rich man hath on those that are poor, for that he also feeleth, and is sensible of the misery they endure, and because the poor cannot restore the means which they have taken away from the poor, as well as the richer sort can, yea also because they being more needy, and in greater want, are oftentimes not contented with a little wrong, or a small injury done to others, but are still desirous to do more] is a sweeping rain, so that there is no bread, [understand this of a rain, which by reason of its greatess and continuance, maketh a great flood, or causeth a great inundation of water, whereby the corn and other grain, and the fruits of the ground are beaten down, destroyed, and as it were swept and carried away, so that there is no store or provision of bread and other victual left in the field.]

4. They that forsake the Law, praise the wicked: but they that keep the Law, mingle themselves (in battle) against them. [To wit, against those that forsake the Law: namely, by reproving their wickedness by words, and in a good and godly conversation among them, and otherwise, according to the nature and condition of their calling.]

5. Evil men [Hebr. The men of evil: that is, those that are addicted to evil, and practise it. See Job 11.on v.11.] understand not judgement: [that is, that which they are bound to believe, to do, and to leave undone] but they that seek the LORD, [see 2 Chron.ch.12.on v.16.] understand all things. [to wit, that are requisite and needful for their salvation, concerning matters of faith and conversation.]

6. The poor, walking in his uprightness, [Compare above chap.2.7. and the annotate.] is better, then he that is perverse in (his) ways, [compare above chap.2.on v.15. The Hebrew word rendered here ways, signifieth two ways. It seemeth that the Holy Ghost speaketh so, because the right way, which is placed in the midst of two extreams, is left by the wicked, in that they decline or turn aside not only one of the two extreams, but also oftentimes unto both. We may also understand it thus, that some ungodly ones do feign themselves so, as if they were godly, and yet walk and deal wickedly and ungodly: which are two ways: the one is, feign ones self outward by words and gestures, to be that which he is not inwardly: the other, to make it appear by deeds that a man is really and truly such as he outwardly appeareth. Or two ways are, to feign ones self in the company and presence of Godly men, as if a man were godly too, and to demean ones self in the company and presence of wicked men, as he that is down right, or extreamly wicked. Compare below v.18.] though he be rich. [compare above chap.19.1.]

7. He that keepeth the Law, is an understanding son: but he that is a companion [That is, a nourisher and maintainer. Hebr. Feeder. Compare above chap.13.on v.20.] of gluttons, [see of these also, Deut.21.20. and above chap.23.20,21. And understand by them all gross trangressors of the Law] shameth his Father. [see above chap.10.on v.5. Under the name of Father comprehend also the Mother. See above chap.15.20. compare below chap.29.3.]

8. He that by usury, and by excess of gain, [See of these two words, usury, and excess of gain, Lev.25.on v.36.] increaseth his substance, gathereth it for him, that pittieth the poor [to wit, by the secret dispose of divine providence, without having the least the least thought of it.]

9. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the Law, [To wit, the Law of God] even his prayer shall be an abomination. [To wit, unto God, see above chap.3.on v.32. and compare above chap.15.8. and 21.27.]

10. He that causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, [Of evil way, see above chap.2.on v.12.] shall fall himself into his (own) ditch: [to wit, which he had made for the righteous, or the upright one. See above chap.26.27.] but the godly shall inherit good things.

11. A rich man is wise in his (own) eyes: but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. [That is, heedeth him (to wit, the rich man) eyeing more his actions and conversation, then the lustre and splendour of his riches, which can neither give wisdom nor virtue.]

12. When the righteous [Understand especially the godly Rulers of Countries and Cities] do leap up for joy, [that is, prosper, are happy, flourish and blossom] there is great glory: [or beauty, ornament, that is, good and well-composed order both in Ecclesiastical and Civil affairs, faithful administration and dispensing of all offices, with all manner of blessings from God] but when the wicked rise, a man is narrowly sought. [to wit, because he hideth and concealeth himself, through fear or persecution and oppression, which wicked and ungodly Rulers raise, especially against righteous and godly persons. Compare below v.28.]

13. He that covereth his transgressions, shall not prosper, but he that confesseth them, [To wit, before the Lord, or also before men when need requireth] and forsaketh (them) shall obtain mercy. [compare Psa.32.3,5. 1 John 1:9,10.]

14. Happy is the man that feareth continually; [That is, he that being truely and sincerely converted, out of true reverence, and an awful respect which he beareth unto God, feareth to offend him, and setting before his eyes the judgements that are prepared for the wicked, ordereth his conversation in humility, and a child-like fear according to the commandments of God, that he may not perish] but he that hardeneth his heart, [that is, he that behaveth himself very wilfully, and giveth himself over to obstinacy and rebellion. Compare Exod.4.on v.21. and 8.on v.15. and 32,on v.9. and 2. Kin.17.on v.14.] shall fall into mischief.

15. The wicked (man) ruling over a poor people, is a roaring lion, and a bear that runneth too and fro. [To wit, in regard of hunger, to get a prey, as is said of the Devil, 1 Pet.5.8.]

16. A Prince [Or Leader, or Ruler, that goeth before the people in the office of ruling or governing. See Nehem.11.11. and the annotate.] that is void of all understanding, is also manifold in oppressions, [that is, is a great oppressor, or oppresseth his subjects many and sundry ways, and is therefore himself liable to Gods judgements, and to many cruel torments and oppressions] but he that hateth covetousness, [or every one (to wit, of the leaders) that hateth filthy lucre, or covetousness] shall prolong the days. [to wit, of his life, that is, he shall enjoy long life by or through the means thereunto appointed by God, compare above chap.3.on v.2.]

17. A man pressed for the blood [That is, for the murder or slaughter, see Gen.37.on v.26.] of a soul, [that is, of man, see Gen.12.on ver.5. The meaning is, a man that is pursued by the avenger of blood, and is troubled and tormented by his own conscience for shedding of blood, and for murdering and killing of a man. Oth. He that hath done violence to the blood of soul; to wit, which he hath shed wilfully and wrongfully] shall flee [to wit, through fear of divine vengeance so that he taking flight this way, and that way, shall unawares fall into some mischief and danger] to the pit, [that is, to destruction or to his own ruine. So is the word pit taken, Psa.7.16. and 28.1. and 30.4. and 40.3.] let him not be supported.[oth. Let no man stay him, or stop him, or hold him fast; to wit, that he may at least get into the pit, wherein he must needs be. That is, let no man seek to deliver him, or hide him, or any other way to rescue and free him from punishment.]

18. He that walketh uprightly, [See above chap.2.on v.7.] shall be saved: but he that behaveth himself perversely [see above on v.6.] shall fall into one (of them.) [that is, shall perish in one of those two ways, to wit, whether he join himself to the godly in his outward conversation, that he may seem like unto them, or in some shew to associate himself and keep company with the wicked, to enjoy and taste of their profits and outward contentments.]

19. He that tilleth his land, shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain (men) [Of vain men, or vain persons, see above chap.12.on v.11.] shall be satisfied with poverty. [see Job 7.on v.4.]

20. A very faithful man [Hebr. A man of truths, or of faithfulnesses, see above chap.11.on v.17. Meaning one that is true, upright and faithfull in his dealing] shall be manifested in blessings: [that is, shall be exceedingly blessed. God will do him good, and godly men will wish good unto him] but he that is hasty to be rich, shall not be guiltless, [that is, shall not be free from suspicion of unrighteous dealings, abuses and sins; and conquently shall not be held to be undeserving of punishment.]

21. To know faces [See Deut.1.17. and the annot. This is as much as to accept faces, or persons, Lev.19.15. see likewise there the annot.] is not good: [that is, is very bad, see above chap.17.on v.26.23.] for a man will transgress for a piece of bread. [the meaning is, if men might have respect of persons in judgement, they would make no bones of sinning or transgressing. For a bit of bread (as we say) yea for nothing at all, men would commit gross and out-ragious villanies.]

22. He that hasteth after wealth [Understand an hastening that is united and conjoined with great trouble and unpiety of spirit, as also the Hebrew word is translated for being troubled, 2 Sam.4.1. in the annotate. Job.4.5. and 21.6. and 23.15.] is a man of an evil eye: [that is, a man that hath an evil eye, understand an envious, surely and covetous man. See Deut.15.on v.9. and above chap.23.on v.6.] but he knoweth not that want shall come upon him. [to wit, both from God, whom he offendeth by his covetousness and cruelty; and from men whom he hurteth therewith.]

23. He that reproveth a man, [To wit, with words. See above chap.15.on v.31.] shall afterward [to wit, when he that was reproved, shall find and perceive, that the reproof hath done him good. Oth. Following me] find more favour, then he that flattereth with the tongue. [compare above chap.2.16. and the annotate. On the word flattering, or to flatter.]

24. He that robbeth his Father, or His mother, and saith, it is no transgression; [As if he had said; it is no theft, which God forbiddeth in his Law, because the estate belongeth to me after their decease] the same is the companion of a destroying man. [or to the destroying man, or of the man of destroying, or of a murderer; because he taketh away from his Father, or from his Mother, or from both, the means whereby they are to maintain and uphold their life: or of a waster, or spend-thrift; of whom see above chap.18.9. Of the word destroying, see Judg.20.on v.21.]

25. He that is high minded [Hebr. Broad, or wide in soul] stirreth up brawling, [compare above chap.13.10. and 15.18. and below chap.20.22.] but he that trusteth in the LORD, shall wax fat. [that is, rich and prosperous both in body and soul. To wit, because he being humble, and relying upon God alone, seeketh nothing else but to live in peace and quietness with his neighbour.]

26. He that trusteth in his (own) heart, [That is, he that will have his own mind fulfilled, and will follow only his own conceit] the same is a fool: but he that walketh in wisdom, [that is, according to the doctrine which is true and right wisdom, prescribed unto us in the word of God, and according to the counsel of those that follow it] he shall not lack.

27. He that giveth unto the poor, shall not lack, [Compare Deut.15.7,8,10. Above chap.19.17. and 22.9.] but he that hideth his eyes, [to wit, from the poor, through unmercifulness and covetousness] shall be much cursed. [Hebr. Shall be manifold in cursing: that is, shall be exceedingly cursed, see above v.20. manifold in blessings, for him that is exceedingly blessed.]

28. When the wicked rise, a man hideth himself, [Compare above the last annotate. On v.12.] but when they perish, the righteous do multiply.