Sins. To seek revenge out of rancour, or contrary to justice, is a grievous sin. (Worthington) --- Retaliation was tolerated, (Exodus xxi. 24.) but love was not to be laid aside, Deuteronomy xxxiii. 35., Leviticus xxi. 17., Psalm vii. 5., and Matthew vii. 2.

Verse 2

Forgive. This charity enforces, when the offender is penitent, if the remission of punishment be not contrary to justice and discipline. (Worthington) --- Matthew vi. 12,. and xviii. 32., and Luke vi. 37. We all stand in need of pardon. (Calmet)

Verse 5

And doth. Greek, "who will expiate his sins?" Is God bound to receive his victims or prayers while he entertains such dispositions? (Calmet)

Verse 7

In his commandments. Supply the sentence out of the Greek thus: Remember corruption, and death, and abide in the commandments, (Challoner) which condemn revenge, Exodus xxiii. 4. (Calmet) --- Complutensian, "and do not rage or menace thy neighbour with destruction and death; yea, stick to the commandments. Be mindful of the precepts, and be not angry with thy neighbour; and of the covenant," &c., ver. 9. (Haydock)

Verse 9

Ignorance. He uses a softer term. In effect, most quarrels proceed from a misunderstanding. "Every sinner is ignorant."

Verse 12

Burneth. The more fuel, the greater will be the blaze.

Verse 13

And a, &c., is not in Greek. Proverbs xix. 12., and xxvi. 21.

Verse 16

Third. Who carries stories between friends, to set them at variance. (Calmet)

Verse 18

It, &c., is omitted in Greek. (Haydock) --- Indiscreet reports often cause dissensions. (Worthington)

Verse 19

Labours. Causing their husbands to suspect them.

Verse 22

Their own. Greek, "the." Detraction separates many friends. (Calmet)

Verse 25

Hell. Or rather "the grave."

Verse 26

Its. Greek, "it shall not take hold of the pious, and they shall not," &c. (Haydock) --- Their virtue shall quickly shine forth. (Calmet)

Verse 28

Hear. Greek, "lo, hedge in thy possessions with thorns: bind up thy silver and gold." (Haydock) --- To pay attention to detraction is as bad as to utter it. (Worthington)

Verse 29

Just. Greek, "a door and bolt," &c., as [in] ver. 28. If people guard their property with so much care, why do they make light of words? (Haydock) --- These ought to be weighed with more attention than money, and we ought to spare no pains or expense on this head. (Calmet)

Verse 30

Tongue. Greek, "by them, lest thou fall before him who lays snares," chap. xxix. (Haydock)

Verse 33