Prov. 22:13 The lazy person invents unbelievable excuses (see 26:13).

Prov. 22:15 See the note for 23:13,14.

Prov. 22:17-24:22 Thirty Sayings of the Wise (HBH) Proverbs 22:17-23:14 contains striking parallels to the Egyptian Teachings of Amenemope. The Egyptian wisdom book appears to be older, which indicates that Solomon knew and used it. This is not surprising, since an Egyptian influence is seen throughout Solomon's writings. These "sayings of the wise" contain a number of proverbs on proper etiquette in the presence of the rich and powerful, with the warning that it is foolish to try to ingratiate yourself before such men (23:1-8).

Proverbs 23:14-24:22 resembles the discourses in the prologue. It again addresses the reader as "my son" (23:15,19,26; 24:13,21), encourages the pursuit of wisdom (23:19,23; 24:3-7), and warns of the dangers of the immoral woman (23:26-28). This may have been the original conclusion to the Book of Solomon, with 24:23-24 being the equivalent to an addendum or appendix.

Prov. 22:17-21 See section 2 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Proverbs.

Prov. 22:17 The wise: Probably alludes to a group of wise men whose teachings are continually cited, although the use of the first person in verses 19,20,21 give a personal touch to these proverbs. It could be Solomon himself who speaks or perhaps it's the leader of the quoted wise men.

Literary Note: This collection of proverbs (until 24:22) exhibits several notable differences with the preceding: The method of the previous verses isn't followed as uniformly (see the note for 10:1); the grammatical structure contains longer and more complex constructions, and explanations interspersed with greater frequency; however, the significance is even more obscure and difficult to decipher; more rhetorical twists and imperatives are used.

Prov. 22:28 Respect the traditional standards, moral as well as cultural.

Prov. 22:29 Those of low condition (KJV-mean men): The destiny of the diligent is to stand out socially.

Prov. 23:1-3 See section 4 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Proverbs.

Prov. 23:1-3 Be prudent when you are offered fine delicacies, for the sake of your composure as well as your health.

Prov. 23:13,14 If you punish him with a rod: Alludes to reprimanding the child with the hand or instrument that doesn't do damage. The Bible teaches that reprimanding should be associated with a loving and patient attitude (Heb. 12:3-6), that spanking is necessary to administer discipline (Prov. 22:15), that parents shouldn't be excessive in disciplining their children (19:18(, and that it's necessary to keep them on the right road (v.14).

Prov. 23:15-28 Again the counsels are directed to a son. He must be careful not to imitate sinners and associate with drunkards, glutton and prostitutes. On the positive side, he should fear the LORD, attend to his parents, value the truth and make his family joyful.

Prov. 23:17,18 There is an end: Awareness of eternity should motivate us to fear Jehovah.

Prov. 23:19-21 See section 4 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Proverbs.

Prov. 23:26-28 See section 4 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Proverbs.

Prov. 23:29-35 See section 4 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Proverbs.

Prov. 23:29-35 Here we have a brief essay about the abuse of alcohol. Wine is described as being as dangerous as a serpent (v.32), as something that produced hallucinations (v.33), perverse language (v.33) and insensibility (verses 34,35).

Prov. 24:6 You shall make war: Each one of us has his own battles that he wages, and needs to be counselled wisely and frequently to fight well.

Prov. 24:10 Strength isn't measured in good times, but in difficult moments.

Prov. 24:11,12 With evangelical fervor our obligation to rescue the ignorant from going to destruction is presented here. GOD will not accept our excuses.

Prov. 24:16 Falling isn't fatal, except for the unholy.

Prov. 24:17,18: It could be that GOD sees our rejoicing over another's errors as sufficient punishment for the sinner.

Prov. 24:21,22 Rebellion against GOD or against a human government is a dangerous thing.

Prov. 24:23-34 Here another brief collection appears, similar to the earlier, of proverbs of the wise.

Prov. 24:26 The lips shall be kissed (KJV-shall kiss his lips): A way of recompensing.

Prov. 24:27 Pay attention first to what is productive, before what is comfortable.

Prov. 24:28,29 Avoid taking vengeance against your neighbor.

Prov. 24:30-34 The vision of the lazy man's field reveals to us the tragedy occasioned by idleness. See the note for 6:6-11.

Prov. 25:1-29:27 We are again faced with Solomon's terse style, in a collection of proverbs copied by "Hezekiah's men". This must have occurred around 720 B.C., after having survived more than 200 years; however, we have no indications of what the source may have been or the history of the document from which the scribes copied. Many of the proverbs of this section are more acute and caustic than the others. It seems as if we're dealing with Solomon's final writings, when he was in the peak of his creative faculties. However, many those found in chapters 25 and 26 appear also (sometimes with the same words) in the first collection of Solomonic proverbs (10:1-22:16). Except in the case of a few passages (such as 27:23-27), very synthesized concepts are dealt with, each one of which is expressed in a single verse.

Prov. 25:1-29:27 Royal Etiquette (HBH) A proper understanding both of the king's role and of how to behave in his presence was essential for the courtier in ancient Israel. Prudence, discretion, and patience are essential for anyone who would deal with government authorities (compare Eccl. 8:2-6).

Prov. 25:2 Conceal...investigate: The human being always feels the need to scrutinize everything; GOD doesn't, because he knows all.

Prov. 25:4,5 The unholy are undesirable everywhere.

Prov. 25:6,7 It's better to occupy a humble position and be invited to ascend, a truth whose essence Jesus repeats in Luke 14:7-11.

Prov. 25:13 In time of the harvest: That which normally is a time of exhausting labor is alleviated by the refreshing unexpected snowfall. Thus is the work of the faithful messenger.

Prov. 25:16 There are things that become repugnant when enjoyed too much.

Prov. 25:16-27 Interpersonal Relations (HBH) The one who too frequently visits at a friend's house risks becoming an unwelcome sight (25:16-17). The one who does not know how to read a friend's mood will soon anger him or her (25:20). Sometimes the best way to win a conflict is to surprise an adversary with kindness (25:21-22).

Prov. 25:19 This type of pain is acute and chronic.

Prov. 25:20 The shocking contradiction that these two similes hold is expressed in the phrase: "For each thing there is its moment" (Eccl. 3:1). Be critical of one who doesn't come to the point or is in bad taste.

Prov. 25:24 This is an example, in the book of Proverbs, or the teachings that recommend controlling the tongue. Quarrelsome: What a deadly weapon!

Prov. 25:26 The righteous who falls: Someone who acts correctly confuses his behavior when he becomes indecisive toward temptation. It affects his ability to serve others.

Prov. 25:28 When a river turns into a swamp, without the discipline of banks, thus (in the language of that time), a city without walls isn't a city. And the person who doesn't have self-control isn't a person.

Prov. 25:28-26:28 Dealing with Difficult People (HBH) Troublesome and difficult people are recognized by lack of self-control (25:28), dogmatic self-assurance (26:12), and laziness (26:14-15). They provoke conflict (26:18-20) and are deceitful (26:25). They should never be honored (26:1,8) and cannot be trusted (26:6,10). The apparent self-contradiction in 26:4-5 indicates many proverbs are general statements rather than invariable rules.

Prov. 26:4,5 These proverbs, apparently contradictory, become complimentary if we notice that they teach two different truths. If you imitate the fool, you become like him; but if you respond to him as if he were wise, he will believe himself to be wise.

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