“Set thy heart upon thy goods; and say not, I have enough for my life.”
Unjust. The translator styles riches unjust, because they often proceed from, or tend to injustice. They can afford no protection in death, Psalm xlviii. 17., and Luke xii. 19., and xvi. 9. (Calmet)
“Follow not thine own mind and thy strength, to walk in the ways of thy heart:”
Heart. If no man can oppose thee, remember God’s judgments. (Worthington)
“And say not, Who shall controul me for my works? for the Lord will surely revenge thy pride.”
How mighty am I? is not in Greek, though read by St. Cyprian and St. Augustine, Spec. — Sennacherib’s vain boasting was soon punished, Isaias xxxvii. 36. (Calmet)
“Say not, I have sinned, and what harm hath happened unto me? for the Lord is longsuffering, he will in no wise let thee go.”
Rewarder. Greek, “is long-suffering, he will not let thee escape.”
“Concerning propitiation, be not without fear to add sin unto sin:”
And add. Greek, “to add.” Take not occasion from God’s goodness to offend him. (Haydock) — He will punish at last. (Jansenius) — Though you may have taken pains to repent, are you assured of being forgiven? (Ecclesiastes ix. 1.) A relapse calls for greater severity, though the graces of God are without repentance, Romans xi. 29. He does not recall his favours, but he hates the ungrateful, ver. 6. (Bellarmine, Just. iii. 4.) (Calmet) — Satisfaction must be made even after the sin has been remitted. (Worthington) — This may be feared. (Menochius)
“Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord, and put not off from day to day: for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth, and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance.”
Looketh. Greek, “shall rest” in hell, to punish the abuse of mercy. (Haydock)
“Set not thine heart upon goods unjustly gotten, for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity.”
Day. A rabbin being asked when one must repent? answered, the day before death. But we know not when that will take place! Then, replied he, we must repent to-day. (Drusius) — “God has promised thee pardon, if thou repent, but he has not promised thee to-morrow.” (St. Augustine, Psalm cxiv.)
“If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbour; if not, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.”
The way. Greek, “thy knowledge or sentiment, and let thy speech be one,” (Haydock) that men may depend upon thee.
“Honour and shame is in talk: and the tongue of man is his fall.”
Word. Complutensian adds, “of God.” But the Roman edition has, “be quick to hear, and answer slowly,” James i. 19. “It is safer to hear than to preach.” (St. Augustine, lix. in John) — Constancy in virtue will obtain the promised peace. (Worthington)
“Be not called a whisperer, and lie not in wait with thy tongue: for a foul shame is upon the thief, and an evil condemnation upon the double tongue.”
Lest. Greek, “honour and infamy is in speech; and the tongue of man proves his ruin.” (Haydock) — Nothing can be productive of better or of worse consequences, Proverbs xviii. 21. (Calmet)
Be. Greek, “ensnare not by thy tongue, (17.) for evil confusion is upon the thief, and great condemnation on the double-tongued. (18.) Be not ignorant in any thing, great or small.” (Haydock) — The detractor is more dangerous than the thief. He pierces without being seen, Ecclesiastes x. 11., Proverbs xxvi. 20., and Romans i. 29.
Great. Only examine the justice of the cause; or, according to the Greek, commit no fault of ignorance, nor say, “I did not think.” (Calmet) — Acknowledge thy friend in his poverty, as well as in his greatness. (Haydock)