The. Greek, "on dreams. The," &c. (Haydock) --- No dependence can be had on the pretended interpretation of dreams, which do not come from God; (Calmet) as some do, Matthew i., and Daniel ii. (Worthington)

Verse 3

Man. When he turns away from the mirror, it appears no more, James i. 23.

Verse 4

Unclean. This text has been abused, to prove that the sinner cannot confer grace in the sacraments. (Calmet) --- But Christ does this by his ministry. (St. Augustine, Psalm x. n. 6.)

Verse 5

Deceitful. Greek, "divinations, and auguries, and dreams, are vain."

Verse 6

Travail. Such things cannot be explained. Twenty people will all give different interpretations. --- High, as those of Jacob, Joseph, &c., were. Yet it is difficult to make the discrimination. (St. Gregory, dial. iv. 48.) --- Homer admits of two sorts of dreams. (Odyssey xix.)

Verse 7

Them. The devil takes advantage of their weakness, and they have recourse to magic, &c. (Calmet)

Verse 8

Law, which forbids attention to dreams, Leviticus xix 26., and Isaias viii. 20. (Cornelius a Lapide) --- No part of the law shall perish; and some will always explain it truly. (Worthington)

Verse 9

What. Greek, "A man who has travelled, knows much," &c. (Haydock) --- Thus Ulysses became so wise, (Homer) as well as the ancient philosophers, Pythagoras, &c. (St. Jerome, ad Paulin.) --- The knowledge derived from books will not suffice. (Calmet)

Verse 10

Experienced. Greek, "much abroad, shall abound with subtlety. (11.) I," &c.

Verse 12

And. Greek, "And I know more than I announce." (Grabe's edition)

Verse 13

For. Greek, "On account of these things I have been saved:" (Haydock) by my great experience, which gives weight to my instructions.

Verse 14

Is. Greek, "shall live. (15.) For....them. (16.) He," &c. (Haydock)

Verse 20

From falling, or when a person is fallen.

Verse 21

Mockeries. Some Greek copies have "gifts." Such unjust presents or sacrifices, God will abhor, Isaias xli. 8., and Deuteronomy xxiv. 15. (Calmet)

Verse 22

Lord. Greek, (23.) "most....wicked, nor," &c.

Verse 26

Bread. Greek, "a livelihood, killeth his neighbour; and he sheddeth blood, who keepeth back the hire of the workman." (Haydock)

Verse 28

Labour? So, if your sacrifices be ill-gotten, they will not be received; and if you relapse, you will be as bad as ever. (Calmet)

Verse 30

Dead. Literally, "is baptized by or from the dead;" baptizatur a mortuo. (Haydock) --- St. Cyprian thought this text was peremptory against the baptism of heretics; and Donatists were of the same opinion. They seem not to have read, if he touch him again, which entirely alters the meaning. St. Augustine admonishes them of this; though he explains it of the pagan rather than of the Jewish purifications, to which it refers, Numbers xix. 11. See St. Augustine, contra Cres. i. 24., and ii. 25., and contra Petil. i. 9., and St. Cyprian, ep. ad Quint. (Calmet)

Verse 31

Prayer. A relapse makes the former repentance unless, Matthew xviii. 33. (Worthington)

Verse 33