“The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams lift up fools.”
The. Greek, “on dreams. The,” &c. (Haydock) — No dependence can be had on the pretended interpretation of dreams, which do not come from God; (Calmet) as some do, Matthew i., and Daniel ii. (Worthington)
“The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face.”
Man. When he turns away from the mirror, it appears no more, James i. 23.
“Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come?”
Unclean. This text has been abused, to prove that the sinner cannot confer grace in the sacraments. (Calmet) — But Christ does this by his ministry. (St. Augustine, Psalm x. n. 6.)
“Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman's heart in travail.”
Deceitful. Greek, “divinations, and auguries, and dreams, are vain.”
“If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them.”
Travail. Such things cannot be explained. Twenty people will all give different interpretations. — High, as those of Jacob, Joseph, &c., were. Yet it is difficult to make the discrimination. (St. Gregory, dial. iv. 48.) — Homer admits of two sorts of dreams. (Odyssey xix.)
“For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.”
Them. The devil takes advantage of their weakness, and they have recourse to magic, &c. (Calmet)
“The law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.”
Law, which forbids attention to dreams, Leviticus xix 26., and Isaias viii. 20. (Cornelius a Lapide) — No part of the law shall perish; and some will always explain it truly. (Worthington)
“A man that hath travelled knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom.”
What. Greek, “A man who has travelled, knows much,” &c. (Haydock) — Thus Ulysses became so wise, (Homer) as well as the ancient philosophers, Pythagoras, &c. (St. Jerome, ad Paulin.) — The knowledge derived from books will not suffice. (Calmet)
“He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he that hath travelled is full of prudence.”
Experienced. Greek, “much abroad, shall abound with subtlety. (11.) I,” &c.
“I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things.”
And. Greek, “And I know more than I announce.” (Grabe’s edition)
“The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them.”
For. Greek, “On account of these things I have been saved:” (Haydock) by my great experience, which gives weight to my instructions.
“Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope.”
Is. Greek, “shall live. (15.) For….them. (16.) He,” &c. (Haydock)
“Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father's eyes.”
From falling, or when a person is fallen.
“The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.”
Mockeries. Some Greek copies have “gifts.” Such unjust presents or sacrifices, God will abhor, Isaias xli. 8., and Deuteronomy xxiv. 15. (Calmet)
“He that taketh away his neighbour's living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.”
Lord. Greek, (23.) “most….wicked, nor,” &c.
“So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling profit him?”
Bread. Greek, “a livelihood, killeth his neighbour; and he sheddeth blood, who keepeth back the hire of the workman.” (Haydock)
Labour? So, if your sacrifices be ill-gotten, they will not be received; and if you relapse, you will be as bad as ever. (Calmet)
Dead. Literally, “is baptized by or from the dead;” baptizatur a mortuo. (Haydock) — St. Cyprian thought this text was peremptory against the baptism of heretics; and the Donatists were of the same opinion. They seem not to have read, if he touch him again, which entirely alters the meaning. St. Augustine admonishes them of this; though he explains it of the pagan rather than of the Jewish purifications, to which it refers, Numbers xix. 11. See St. Augustine, contra Cres. i. 24., and ii. 25., and contra Petil. i. 9., and St. Cyprian, ep. ad Quint. (Calmet)
Prayer. A relapse makes the former repentance useless, Matthew xviii. 33. (Worthington)