v1: See also 16.19; the wise man sees the blessing of true peace, even in poverty. Riches are not to be despised, but where they bring strife, then poverty is better.

v2: The servant can advance himself, and receive inheritance, John 15.15.

There is nuance in the owning of slaves / servants, which is sometimes missed. A slave might enjoy promotion in certain circumstances, as here; even ultimately sharing an inheritance.

'Indigenous African enslavement was often so complex that it blurred the lines between freedom and slavery. In many African societies, enslaved Africans were treated reasonably by ther owners and were allowed to keep their names, practice, their religions, and hold on to many aspects of their cuture. (Richard Reddie, Abolition)

v3: The Lord tests the heart, even as precious metal is heated to be purified. He takes us through experiences to purify our affections and desires.

v4-5: The desires of the wicked man, for evil, not for good. He loves falsehood, spite, he mocks the poor, he passes on evil words, and rejoices at the calamity of others. His desires are self-promoting, he is in the downward spiral of sin (Rom 1.20-32).

v6: Children are a gift from the Lord, and so to see one's grandchildren, and subsequent generations is a great blessing, Gen 50.22-23.

v7: Sometimes our observation does not match the reality; eloquent lips on a fool (margin), but equally lying lips on a ruler.

v8: A bribe does have an effect, changing men's decisions. 'Bribe' is too harsh a word! A generous and timely gift to another, perhaps a person of influence, can lead to success. David Adeney comments on this lack of condemnation of a bribe; 'Such equivocation in the Old Testament seems to reflect a recognition of the power differential between a poor person who gives a gift in order to stave off injustice and the rich who uses his power to exploit the poor. The powerful and the powerless are not judged by the same abstract absolute.' (Strane Virtues, Ethics in a Multicultural World, quoted by Andy McCullough in Global Humility)

v9: The whisperer, speaking in secret;

• brings up disputes that were resolved;
• recalls wrongs with criticism;
• forgets reasons for praise;

no wonder he separates the best of friends, see 16.28.

The wise man will cover the transgressions of another, avoiding bringing shame or embarrassment to others.

v10: A wise man receives and values correction.

v11: The evil man seeks only rebellion, because his heart is full of rebellion; he deserves judgment without mercy.

v12: Although a fool may not necessarily be violent, he brings trouble to those he meets.

v13: A man sows what he reaps, so sowing evil brings a harvest of evil.

v14: The fool prefers strife, and that can be difficult to stop once started.

v15: His morality is corrupt and perverse, contrasting with God's perfect standard of righteousness.

v16: Money without wisdom is a waste.

v17: True friendship is a strength in times of adversity; it is consistent through all of life.

v18: Lacking judgment, a fool becomes surety for another, at cost to himself. A wise man weighs up the options before committing himself.

v19: The fool loves sin and arguments; he has no standards of behaviour.

v20: The perverse heart, which produces a perverse tongue, and also self-deception; he thinks his words and attitudes are acceptable.

v21: Contrast v6, and 15.20; the folly of a son is a grief to his father.

v22: A cheerful heart, often expressed through cheerful words, brings strength to the bones, see 18.14. The word "cheerful" is also bright, or rejoicing.

v23: The evil man accepts a bribe and perverts justice.

v24: A discerning man takes note of what he sees, he sees with spiritual eyes.

v25: See v21, the foolish son has a bad effect upon his father.

v26: Contrast v10, to punish the righteous is different from rebuke or reproof. Unjust punishment is a damaging thing.

v27-28: Restraint and self-control, characteristics of a godly man. The fool, who is normally rash and quick-tempered, appears wise by his silence. Job 13.5; we must carefully weigh up both silence and words, see 18.17.