Proverbs 26
Verse 2 By flying - Secures itself from the fowler. Not come - Upon the innocent person, but he shall escape from it like a bird. Verse 4 According - So as to imitate his folly, by passionate or reproachful speeches. Verse 5 According - So as his folly needs and requires, convincing him strongly, reproving him sharply, and exposing him to just shame. Verse 6 Cutteth off the feet - Of his messenger; bids one go that wants legs. Drinketh - Drinking, in scripture, frequently denotes the plentiful doing or receiving of any thing. Verse 7 The legs - Heb. the legs of the lame are lifted up, in going, or in dancing, which is done with great inequality and uncomeliness. So - No less incident are wise and pious speeches from a foolish and ungodly man. Verse 8 Bindeth - Whereby he hinders his own design of throwing the stone out of it. So - No less absurd is he that giveth to a fool that honour which he is not capable of using aright. Verse 9 A thorn - As a thorn is in a drunkard's hand, which he cannot manage cautiously, but employs to his own and others hurt. So - As unprofitable, and, by accident, hurtful to himself and others. Verse 10 Rewardeth - Will certainly give that recompence which is deserved by fools and transgressors, by such as sin either thro' ignorance, or wilfully. Verse 14 Turneth - Moving hither and thither upon it, but not removing from its place. Verse 16 A reason - A satisfactory reason of ail their actions. Verse 17 He - Who is going upon the way. With strife - In which he is not concerned, nor any way obliged to meddle. That taketh - Exposes himself to needless hazard. Verse 18 And death - Any instruments of death. Verse 23 Burning - With malice or hatred: A slanderous or evil tongue. Dross - Such a tongue and heart are of no real worth, although sometimes they make a shew of it, as dross does of silver. Verse 26 Deceit - With false professions of love. Verse 27 Rolleth - Up the hill with design to do mischief to some person.