Judge. Greek, "instruct." (Challoner) --- The example of rulers is very powerful. (Worthington)

Verse 2

Therein. Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis. (Claud.) --- As a whole city is infected with the vices of princes, so it may be corrected by their good behaviour, (continentia.) (Cicero, Leg. 3.)

Verse 3

Rulers. All who wish to live under just kings, Proverbs xxix. 4.

Verse 4

It, as he did David, Job xxxiv. 30., and Daniel ii. 20. (Calmet)

Verse 5

The scribe. That is, the man that is wise and learned in the law. (Challoner) --- It also denotes an officer, Judges v. 14. God must give light and success. (Calmet)

Verse 6

Injury, out of revenge. (Haydock) (Leviticus xix. 18.) --- "Cæsar used to forget nothing but injuries." (Cicero, Ligar.) --- This at least is the character of a great man. (St. Augustine, ep. 138., and 54.)

Verse 7

Men. It invades the rights of the former, and disturbs the repose of mankind. --- All. Greek is obscure, "and from both proceeds injustice;" (Calmet) or, "it shall act unjustly." (Haydock) --- Pride attacks both God and man. (Grotius)

Verse 8

Deceits. Hence kingdoms are changed. (Worthington) --- The ambition and luxury of subjects (Cato) and the negligence of the rulers, bring on confusion. (St. Augustine, City of God v. 13.)

Verse 9

Man. The desire of plunder, or of glory, occasions revolutions. (Haydock) --- Covetousness is the root of all evils, and causes people to abandon the faith, 1 Timothy vi. 10. (Worthington)

Verse 10

Bowels, and would have no compassion for others or for himself. Some Greek copies leave out as far as sale, but Grabe replaces the omission from the Complutensian.

Verse 14

Beginning, or summit; Greek: arche. (Calmet) --- Thus Lucifer and Adam fell by pride. (St. Augustine, City of God xii. 6.) All sin, being a contempt of God, springs from pride, (Prosper. contemp. iii. 3.) and from an inordinate self-love. (Calmet)

Verse 15

Sin, because man abandons God's law, and falls into all misery. (Worthington) --- The proud easily yield to all sorts of iniquity. (Menochius)

Verse 16

Disgraced. Greek, "hath taken an exemplary vengeance, and hath," &c. (Haydock) --- Them, as he did the giants, Sodom, Nabuchodonosor, &c.

Verse 17

Stead. Luke i. 52. (Calmet) --- "Thales being asked what was difficult to be seen; replied, a tyrant grown old." (Laertius 1.)

Verse 18

Nations, the Chanaanites, who submitted to the yoke: or rather the Hebrews. (Calmet) --- Greek, "instead of them."

Verse 19

Foundation: overturning Sodom, Babylon, and even Jerusalem, for their sins. (Calmet)

Verse 25

CHAPTER X.

Verse 28

Wise. When Diogenes was exposed to sale, and asked what he could do, he answered, "I know how to command free men." (Laertius 6.) --- Joseph and Daniel obtained authority by their wise conduct. (Calmet)

Verse 31

Desert. Let not avarice deprive thee of the necessities of life, nor do any thing beneath thy dignity, Luke xxi. 19.

Verse 33

Glorified. Greek, "honoured on account of his knowledge, and the rich is, " &c. (Haydock)

Verse 34