“et veniet tibi quasi viator egestas, et pauperies quasi vir armatus. Si vero impiger fueris, veniet ut fons messis tua, et egestas longe fugiet a te.”
“So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.”
“and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.”
“so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man.”
“So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man.”
A traveller. Septuagint add, “wicked,” and Hebrew gives the idea of a robber. (Menochius) — But, &c. This is not in Hebrew, Complutensian, or St. Jerome. (Calmet)
II. By way of reproof, v. 9-11. In these verses,
Verses 6-11 Diligence in business is every man's wisdom and duty; not so much that he may attain worldly wealth, as that he may not be a burden to others, or a scandal to the church. The ants are more diligent than slothful men. We may learn wisdom from the meanest insects, and be shamed by them. Habits of indolence and indulgence grow upon people. Thus life runs to waste; and poverty, though at first at a distance, gradually draws near, like a traveller; and when it arrives, is like an armed man, too strong to be resisted. All this may be applied to the concerns of our souls. How many love their sleep of sin, and their dreams of worldly happiness! Shall we not seek to awaken such? Shall we not give diligence to secure our own salvation?