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Morning Bible Reading - Proverbs 25

  1 These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.  2 [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.  3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings [is] unsearchable.  4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.  5 Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.  6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great [men]:  7 For better [it is] that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.  8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.  9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself]; and discover not a secret to another:  10 Lest he that heareth [it] put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.  11 A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver.  12 [As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.  13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [so is] a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.  14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain.  15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.  16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.  17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and [so] hate thee.  18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.  19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.  20 [As] he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so [is] he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.  21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:  22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.  23 The north wind driveth away rain: so [doth] an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.  24 [It is] better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.  25 [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country.  26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.  27 [It is] not good to eat much honey: so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory.  28 He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-3 God needs not search into any thing; nothing can be hid from him. But it is the honour of rulers to search out matters, to bring to light hidden works of darkness.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   4-5 For a prince to suppress vice, and reform his people, is the best way to support his government.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   6-7 Religion teaches us humility and self-denial. He who has seen the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus, will feel his own unworthiness.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   8-10 To be hasty in beginning strife, will bring into difficulties. War must at length end, and might better be prevented. It is so in private quarrels; do all thou canst to settle the matter.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   11-12 A word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, is especially beautiful, as fine fruit becomes still more beautiful in silver baskets. Verse 13 See what ought to be the aim of him that is trusted with any business; to be faithful. A faithful minister, Christ|s messenger, should be thus acceptable to us. Verse 14 He who pretends to have received or given that which he never had, is like the morning cloud, that disappoints those who look for rain. Verse 15 Be patient to bear a present hurt. Be mild to speak without passion; for persuasive language is the most effectual to prevail over the hardened mind. Verse 16 God has given us leave to use grateful things, but we are cautioned against excess. Verse 17 We cannot be upon good terms with our neighbours, without discretion as well as sincerity. How much better a Friend is God than any other friend! The oftener we come to him, the more welcome. Verse 18 A false testimony is dangerous in every thing. Verse 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man is painful and vexatious; when we put any stress on him, he not only fails, but makes us feel for it. Verse 20 We take a wrong course if we think to relieve those in sorrow by endeavouring to make them merry.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   21-22 The precept to love even our enemies is an Old Testament commandment. Our Saviour has shown his own great example in loving us when we were enemies. Verse 23 Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly. Verse 24 It is better to be alone, than to be joined to one who is a hinderance to the comfort of life. Verse 25 Heaven is a country afar off; how refreshing is good news from thence, in the everlasting gospel, which signifies glad tidings, and in the witness of the Spirit with our spirits that we are God|s children! Verse 26 When the righteous are led into sin, it is as hurtful as if the public fountains were poisoned. Verse 27 We must be, through grace, dead to the pleasures of sense, and also to the praises of men. Verse 28 The man who has no command over his anger, is easily robbed of peace. Let us give up ourselves to the Lord, and pray him to put his Spirit within us, and cause us to walk in his statutes.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   30-34

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 25:1-999 

Morning Bible Reading - Proverbs 26

  1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.  2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.  3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.  4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.  5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.  6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.  7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.  8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honour to a fool.  9 [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.  10 The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.  11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.  12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.  13 The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.  14 [As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.  15 The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.  16 The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.  17 He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.  18 As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,  19 So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?  20 Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.  21 [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.  22 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.  23 Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.  24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;  25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.  26 [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.  27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.  28 A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   4-5 We are to fit our remarks to the man, and address them to his conscience, so as may best end the debate.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   6-9 Fools are not fit to be trusted, nor to have any honour. Wise sayings, as a foolish man delivers and applies them, lose their usefulness. Verse 10 This verse may either declare how the Lord, the Creator of all men, will deal with sinners according to their guilt, or, how the powerful among men should disgrace and punish the wicked. Verse 11 The dog is a loathsome emblem of those sinners who return to their vices, 2Pe 2:22. Verse 12 We see many a one who has some little sense, but is proud of it. This describes those who think their spiritual state to be good, when really it is very bad. Verse 13 The slothful man hates every thing that requires care and labour. But it is foolish to frighten ourselves from real duties by fancied difficulties. This may be applied to a man slothful in the duties of religion. Verse 14 Having seen the slothful man in fear of his work, here we find him in love with his ease. Bodily ease is the sad occasion of many spiritual diseases. He does not care to get forward with his business. Slothful professors turn thus. The world and the flesh are hinges on which they are hung; and though they move in a course of outward services, yet they are not the nearer to heaven. Verse 15 The sluggard is now out of his bed, but he might have lain there, for any thing he is likely to bring to pass in his work. It is common for men who will not do their duty, to pretend they cannot. Those that are slothful in religion, will not be at the pains to feed their souls with the bread of life, nor to fetch in promised blessings by prayer. Verse 16 He that takes pains in religion, knows he is working for a good Master, and that his labour shall not be in vain. Verse 17 To make ourselves busy in other men|s matters, is to thrust ourselves into temptation.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   18-19 He that sins in jest, must repent in earnest, or his sin will be his ruin.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   20-22 Contention heats the spirit, and puts families and societies into a flame. And that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning by whisperers and backbiters. Verse 23 A wicked heart disguising itself, is like a potsherd covered with the dross of silver.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   21-22 Verse 1 Honour is out of season to those unworthy and unfit for it. Verse 2 He that is cursed without cause, the curse shall do him no more harm than the bird that flies over his head. Verse 3 Every creature must be dealt with according to its nature, but careless and profligate sinners never will be ruled by reason and persuasion. Man indeed is born like the wild ass|s colt; but some, by the grace of God, are changed.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   24-26 Always distrust when a man speaks fair unless you know him well. Satan, in his temptations, speaks fair, as he did to Eve; but it is madness to give credit to him. Verse 27 What pains men take to do mischief to others! but it is digging a pit, it is rolling a stone, hard work; and they prepare mischief to themselves. Verse 28 There are two sorts of lies equally detestable. A slandering lie, the mischief of this every body sees. A flattering lie, which secretly works ruin. A wise man will be more afraid of a flatterer than of a slanderer.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 26:1-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 26:15-999 

Morning Bible Reading - Proverbs 27

  1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.  2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.  3 A stone [is] heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath [is] heavier than them both.  4 Wrath [is] cruel, and anger [is] outrageous; but who [is] able to stand before envy?  5 Open rebuke [is] better than secret love.  6 Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful.  7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.  8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so [is] a man that wandereth from his place.  9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so [doth] the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.  10 Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: [for] better [is] a neighbour [that is] near than a brother far off.  11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.  12 A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, [and] hideth himself; [but] the simple pass on, [and] are punished.  13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.  14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.  15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.  16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, [which] bewrayeth [itself].  17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.  18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.  19 As in water face [answereth] to face, so the heart of man to man.  20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.  21 [As] the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so [is] a man to his praise.  22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, [yet] will not his foolishness depart from him.  23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds.  24 For riches [are] not for ever: and doth the crown [endure] to every generation?  25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.  26 The lambs [are] for thy clothing, and the goats [are] the price of the field.  27 And [thou shalt have] goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and [for] the maintenance for thy maidens.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   3-4 Those who have no command of their passions, sink under the load.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   5-6 Plain and faithful rebukes are better, not only than secret hatred, but than love which compliments in sin, to the hurt of the soul. Verse 7 The poor have a better relish of their enjoyments, and are often more thankful for them, than the rich. In like manner the proud and self-sufficient disdain the gospel; but those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, find comfort from the meanest book or sermon that testifies of Christ Jesus. Verse 8 Every man has his proper place in society, where he may be safe and comfortable.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   9-10 Depend not for relief upon a kinsman, merely for kindred|s sake; apply to those who are at hand, and will help in need. But there is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother, and let us place entire confidence in him. Verse 11 An affectionate parent urges his son to prudent conduct that should gladden his heart. The good conduct of Christians is the best answer to all who find fault with the gospel. Verse 12 Where there is temptation, if we thrust ourselves into it, there will be sin, and punishment will follow. Verse 13 An honest man may be made a beggar, but he is not honest that makes himself one. Verse 14 It is folly to be fond of being praised; it is a temptation to pride.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   15-16 The contentions of a neighbour may be like a sharp shower, troublesome for a time; the contentions of a wife are like constant rain. Verse 17 We are cautioned to take heed whom we converse with. And directed to have in view, in conversation, to make one another wiser and better. Verse 18 Though a calling be laborious and despised, yet those who keep to it, will find there is something to be got by it. God is a Master who has engaged to honour those who serve him faithfully. Verse 19 One corrupt heart is like another; so are sanctified hearts: the former bear the same image of the earthly, the latter the same image of the heavenly. Let us carefully watch our own hearts, comparing them with the word of God. Verse 20 Two things are here said to be never satisfied, death and sin. The appetites of the carnal mind for profit or pleasure are always desiring more. Those whose eyes are ever toward the Lord, are satisfied in him, and shall for ever be so. Verse 21 Silver and gold are tried by putting them into the furnace and fining-pot; so is a man tried by praising him. Verse 22 Some are so bad, that even severe methods do not answer the end; what remains but that they should be rejected? The new-creating power of God|s grace alone is able to make a change.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   23-27 We ought to have some business to do in this world, and not to live in idleness, and not to meddle with what we do not understand. We must be diligent and take pains. Let us do what we can, still the world cannot be secured to us, therefore we must choose a more lasting portion; but by the blessing of God upon our honest labours, we may expect to enjoy as much of earthly blessings as is good for us.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   24-26 Verse 1 We know not what a day may bring forth. This does not forbid preparing for to-morrow, but presuming upon to-morrow. We must not put off the great work of conversion, that one thing needful. Verse 2 There may be occasion for us to justify ourselves, but not to praise ourselves.

NO J Vernon Mcgee Found

Evening Bible Reading - 2 Corinthians 6

  1 We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.  2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)  3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:  4 But in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,  5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;  6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,  7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,  8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and [yet] true;  9 As unknown, and [yet] well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;  10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things.  11 O [ye] Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.  12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.  13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto [my] children,) be ye also enlarged.  14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?  15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,  18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline The apostle, with others, proved themselves faithful ministers of Christ, by their unblamable life and behaviour. (1-10) By affection for them, And by earnest concern, that they might have no fellowship with unbelievers and idolaters. (11-18)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-10 The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of the gospel should look upon themselves as God|s servants, and act in every thing suitably to that character. The apostle did so, by much patience in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due temper and behaviour. Believers, in this world, need the grace of God, to arm them against temptations, so as to bear the good report of men without pride; and so as to bear their reproaches with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all things in Christ. Of such differences is a Christian|s life made up, and through such a variety of conditions and reports, is our way to heaven; and we should be careful in all things to approve ourselves to God. The gospel, when faithfully preached, and fully received, betters the condition even of the poorest. They save what before they riotously spent, and diligently employ their time to useful purposes. They save and gain by religion, and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this, when compared with their sinful, profligate state, before they received the gospel.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   11-18 It is wrong for believers to join with the wicked and profane. The word unbeliever applies to all destitute of true faith. True pastors will caution their beloved children in the gospel, not to be unequally yoked. The fatal effects of neglecting Scripture precepts as to marriages clearly appear. Instead of a help meet, the union brings a snare. Those whose cross it is to be unequally united, without their wilful fault, may expect consolation under it; but when believers enter into such unions, against the express warnings of God|s word, they must expect must distress. The caution also extends to common conversation. We should not join in friendship and acquaintance with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid seeing and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never choose them for friends. We must not defile ourselves by converse with those who defile themselves with sin. Come out from the workers of iniquity, and separate from their vain and sinful pleasures and pursuits; from all conformity to the corruptions of this present evil world. If it be an envied privilege to be the son or daughter of an earthly prince, who can express the dignity and happiness of being sons and daughters of the Almighty?

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 2 Corinthians 6:1-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 2 Corinthians 6:2-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 2 Corinthians 6:4-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 2 Corinthians 6:6-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 2 Corinthians 6:8-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 2 Corinthians 6:14-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 2 Corinthians 6:16-999