Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates reproof is stupid.
2 A good person wins favor
from the Lord, but the schemer he condemns.
3 No one is made secure by
wickedness, but the root of the just will never be disturbed.
4 A woman of worth is the
crown of her husband, but a disgraceful one is like rot in his bones.
5 The plans of the just are
right; the designs of the wicked are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked
are a deadly ambush, but the speech of the upright saves them.
7 Overthrow the wicked and
they are no more, but the house of the just stands firm.
8 For their good sense
people are praised, but the perverse of heart are despised.
9 Better to be slighted and have a servant than put on airs and lack bread.
In this proverb of Solomon, the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked are contrasted. The reward for the righteous is prosperity and the reward for the wicked is failure. A wise person is one who understands the benefit of the doctrine and training implied by discipline (Prov. 15:5; Sir. 21:6). The good person is made secure in God’s grace even to succeeding generations, but the wicked person is condemned (vv. 2-3). The one who is disciplined accepts the traditions of the community.
In a patriarchal society, women were in service to the male of the household; first to their father and then to their husband. If they were not married, they served their brother. A good wife follows the rules of the household and the dictates of the community and brings divine blessing (a crown) and praise to her husband. A woman who does not follow the rules brings her husband inner pain (rot) and disgrace to the household (Prov. 31:10-31). The plans of the just will succeed but the plans of the wicked will fail (v. 5).
The words of the wicked can destroy others, but the words of the righteous protect them (v. 6). People’s actions lead to praise or condemnation (v. 8). “Better the worker who has goods in plenty than the boaster who has no food (Ecclus. 10:27).
Almighty God, grant us the wisdom to discern your will and fill us with the knowledge and understanding to accomplish your will. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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