Proverbs 16
1
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, are from the LORD.
2
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3
Commit thy works to the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4
The LORD hath made all things for himself: yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7
When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right.
9
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
10
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11
A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13
Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15
In the light of a king's countenance is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold? and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver?
17
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18
Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19
Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoever trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
21
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22
Understanding is a well-spring of life to him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24
Pleasant words are as a honey-comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25
There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.
26
He that laboreth laboreth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29
A violent man enticeth his neighbor, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.
32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.
33
The lot is cast into the lap: but the whole disposing of it is from the LORD.
Arcana Coelestia # 1198
1198. 'From whom they came forth' means that cognitions, as these exist with them, are facts. This is clear from what has been stated. These are not said to have been 'begotten' by those who belonged to Egypt but to have 'gone forth', for they are not such as use natural and factual knowledge to reason about spiritual and celestial things and in so doing fabricate for themselves doctrinal teachings, as do those described before. Instead they learn cognitions of faith from another source, but have no other end in view to knowing and retaining these in the memory than they have with other things in which they have no interest beyond merely knowing them, and only then for the reason that by so knowing they may be promoted to positions of importance, and for other like reasons. So different is knowledge of cognitions of faith from knowledge of natural things that the two have scarcely anything in common. This explains why they are not said to have been 'bore' but to have 'gone forth' from them. Such being the character of 'Philistines' they inevitably pervert cognitions of faith by means of reasonings from them, and as a consequence fabricate false doctrines for themselves. They belong therefore among those who are barely able to be regenerated and to receive charity, both because they are uncircumcised at heart and because the false assumptions and consequently the life of their understanding hinder and prevent.
