17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood;
Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, But those who do the truth are his delight.
When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
Deliver my soul, Yahweh, from lying lips, From a deceitful tongue. What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you, You deceitful tongue?
You will destroy those who speak lies. Yahweh abhors the blood-thirsty and deceitful man.
The look of their faces testify against them. They parade their sin like Sodom. They don't hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought disaster upon themselves.
The lofty looks of man will be brought low, The haughtiness of men will be bowed down, And Yahweh alone will be exalted in that day.
A lying tongue hates those it hurts; And a flattering mouth works ruin.
A high look, and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
If they say, "Come with us, Let's lay in wait for blood; Let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
For you will save the afflicted people, But the haughty eyes you will bring down.
Cursed be he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person. All the people shall say, Amen.
Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
You are of your Father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Hear the word of Yahweh, you children of Israel; For Yahweh has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "Indeed there is no truth, Nor goodness, Nor knowledge of God in the land. There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; They break boundaries, and bloodshed causes bloodshed.
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue mutters wickedness. None sues in righteousness, and none pleads in truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. They hatch adders' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he who eats of their eggs dies; and that which is crushed breaks out into a viper. Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their paths.
Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, Much less do lying lips fit a prince.
> Yahweh, my heart isn't haughty, nor my eyes lofty; Nor do I concern myself with great matters, Or things too wonderful for me.
Let the lying lips be mute, Which speak against the righteous insolently, with pride and contempt.
The wicked, in the pride of his face, Has no room in his thoughts for God.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 6
Commentary on Proverbs 6 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 6
Pr 6:1-35. After admonitions against suretyship and sloth (compare Pr 6:6-8), the character and fate of the wicked generally are set forth, and the writer (Pr 6:20-35) resumes the warnings against incontinence, pointing out its certain and terrible results. This train of thought seems to intimate the kindred of these vices.
1, 2. if—The condition extends through both verses.
be surety—art pledged.
stricken … hand—bargained (compare Job 17:3).
with a stranger—that is, for a friend (compare Pr 11:15; 17:18).
3. come … friend—in his power.
humble … sure thy friend—urge as a suppliant; that is, induce the friend to provide otherwise for his debt, or secure the surety.
4, 5. The danger requires promptness.
6-8. The improvident sluggards usually want sureties. Hence, such are advised to industry by the ant's example.
9, 10. Their conduct graphically described;
11. and the fruits of their self-indulgence and indolence presented.
as … travelleth—literally, "one who walks backwards and forwards," that is, a highwayman.
armed man—that is, one prepared to destroy.
12. A naughty person—literally, "A man of Belial," or of worthlessness, that is, for good, and so depraved, or wicked (compare 1Sa 25:25; 30:22, &c.). Idleness and vice are allied. Though indolent in acts, he actively and habitually (walketh) is ill-natured in speech (Pr 4:24).
13, 14. If, for fear of detection, he does not speak, he uses signs to carry on his intrigues. These signs are still so used in the East.
14. Frowardness—as in Pr 2:14.
deviseth—literally, "constructs, as an artisan."
mischief—evil to others.
discord—especially litigation. Cunning is the talent of the weak and lazy.
15. Suddenness aggravates evil (compare Pr 6:11; 29:1).
calamity—literally, "a crushing weight."
broken—shivered as a potter's vessel; utterly destroyed (Ps 2:9).
16-19. six … seven—a mode of speaking to arrest attention (Pr 30:15, 18; Job 5:19).
17. proud look—literally, "eyes of loftiness" (Ps 131:1). Eyes, tongue, &c., for persons.
19. speaketh—literally, "breathes out," habitually speaks (Ps 27:12; Ac 9:1).
20-23. (Compare Pr 1:8; 3:3, &c.).
22. it—(compare Pr 6:23); denotes the instruction of parents (Pr 6:20), to which all the qualities of a safe guide and guard and ready teacher are ascribed. It prevents the ingress of evil by supplying good thoughts, even in dreams (Pr 3:21-23; Ps 19:9; 2Pe 1:19).
23. reproofs—(Pr 1:23) the convictions of error produced by instruction.
24. A specimen of its benefit. By appreciating truth, men are not affected by lying flattery.
25. One of the cautions of this instruction, avoid alluring beauty.
take—or, "ensnare."
eyelids—By painting the lashes, women enhanced beauty.
26. The supplied words give a better sense than the old version: "The price of a whore is a piece of bread."
adulteress—(Compare Margin), which the parallel and context (Pr 6:29-35) sustain. Of similar results of this sin, compare Pr 5:9-12.
will hunt—alluding to the snares spread by harlots (compare Pr 7:6-8).
precious life—more valuable than all else.
27-29. The guilt and danger most obvious.
30, 31. Such a thief is pitied, though heavily punished.
31. sevenfold—(compare Ex 22:1-4), for many, ample (compare Ge 4:24; Mt 18:21), even if all his wealth is taken.
32. lacketh understanding—or, "heart"; destitute of moral principle and prudence.
33. dishonour—or, "shame," as well as hurt of body (Pr 3:35).
reproach … away—No restitution will suffice;
34, 35. nor any terms of reconciliation be admitted.
regard—or, "accept" any ransom.