Proverbs 24:32

Pro 24:32 Then I saw, [and] considered [it] well: I looked upon [it, and] received instruction.

Ver. 32. Then I saw and considered it well.] I made my best use of it for mine own instruction. A bee can suck honey out of a flower, which a fly cannot do; so a spiritual mind can extract good out of every object and occurrence, even out of other men’s faults and follies. He can gather grapes of thorns, and figs of thistles, as here. Well, therefore, may grace be called "the divine nature"; {2Pe 1:4} for as God draws light out of darkness, good out of evil, &c., so doth grace, by a heavenly kind of alchemy, as I may so say.

And received instruction.] Exemplo alterius qui sapit, ille sapit. The worse others are, the better should we be, getting as far off from the wicked as we can in our daily practice, and "saving ourselves from this untoward generation."

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That I might learn by another man’s fault.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

From the folly of the sluggard learn wisdom (Pro 6:10-11).

Next: Proverbs Chapter 25

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth,.... Swiftly and suddenly, both in a temporal and spiritual sense; See Gill on Pro 6:11;

and thy want as an armed man; irresistibly. Here ends according to some the "second", according to others the "third" part of this book of Proverbs, another beginning with the following chapter.

Next: Proverbs Chapter 25

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Which. Septuagint, "at last I repented: I looked forward to receive instruction."

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

I learned wisdom by his folly, and by his gross idleness was provoked to greater care and diligence.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Then I saw, and considered it well. (Pro_22:17) I looked in this sight, and let it sink into my mind. I looked upon it, and received instruction. (Pro_8:10) I learned a lesson from what I saw.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Received - I learned wisdom by his folly.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

v. 32. Then I saw and considered it well, observing the lesson taught by that neglected field; I looked upon it and received instruction, laying down the admonition conveyed by the scene of desolation in a maxim for others.

Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

received instruction

"learned a lesson"

A little sleep ... to rest—and poverty comes

You may need to fill in the omitted words. AT: "You may say to yourself, 'A little sleep ... to rest'—but then poverty will come" (See: Ellipsis)

poverty comes marching upon you

Some translations read, "poverty comes upon you like a robber." Poverty is spoken of as if it were a person or animal that can attack a lazy person. (See: Personification)

your needs like an armed soldier

Needs are spoken of as if they were a person who could attack the lazy person. AT: "your needs will come to you like an armed soldier" (See: Simile and Personification)

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.