17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil; but a faithful ambassador is health.
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [so] is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage.
And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria: they prophesied by Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. And in the prophets of Jerusalem have I seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in falsehood, and strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that none doth return from his wickedness. They are all become unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. Therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink water of gall; for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land. Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they lead you to vanity; they speak a vision of their own heart, not out of the mouth of Jehovah.
When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt certainly die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, that he may live: the same wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand.
So thou, son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; and thou shalt hear the word from my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, Wicked [man], thou shalt certainly die; and thou speakest not to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand.
For we do not, as the many, make a trade of the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, before God, we speak in Christ.
We are ambassadors therefore for Christ, God as [it were] beseeching by us, we entreat for Christ, Be reconciled to God.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 13
Commentary on Proverbs 13 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 13
Pro 13:1
Among the children of the same parents it is no new thing for some to be hopeful and others the contrary; now here we are taught to distinguish.
Pro 13:2
Note,
Pro 13:3
Note,
Pro 13:4
Here is,
Pro 13:5
Note,
Pro 13:6
See here,
Pro 13:7
This observation is applicable,
Pro 13:8
We are apt to judge of men's blessedness, at least in this world, by their wealth, and that they are more or less happy accordingly as they have more or less of this world's goods; but Solomon here shows what a gross mistake it is, that we may be reconciled to a poor condition, and may neither covet riches ourselves nor envy those that have abundance.
Pro 13:9
Here is,
Pro 13:10
Note,
Pro 13:11
This shows that riches wear as they are won and woven.
Pro 13:12
Note,
Pro 13:13
Here is,
Pro 13:14
By the law of the wise and righteous, here, we may understand either the principles and rules by which they govern themselves or (which comes all to one) the instructions which they give to others, which ought to be as a law to all about them; and if they be so,
Pro 13:15
If we compare not only the end, but the way, we shall find that religion has the advantage; for,
Pro 13:16
Note,
Pro 13:17
Here we have,
Pro 13:18
Note,
Pro 13:19
This shows the folly of those that refuse instruction, for they might be happy and will not.
Pro 13:20
Note,
Pro 13:21
Here see,
Pro 13:22
See here,
Pro 13:23
See here,
Pro 13:24
Note,
Pro 13:25
Note,