Then. At the day of judgment. The just and the reprobate know each other's condition, Luke xvi. 20. --- Labours. Defrauding them of their wages, (Leviticus xix. 13.) or plundering them. Septuagint, "despised, (Calmet) or frustrated his labours." (Haydock) --- Worldlings deride those who strive to obtain the goods of eternity, (Calmet) and think they labour in vain. (Worthington)

Verse 3

Within. Or among themselves. --- Repenting. In despair. --- Reproach. We diverted ourselves with turning them to ridicule. (Calmet) --- This change of sentiment (Haydock) proceeds not from the love of virtue, and is useless. (Worthington)

Verse 5

God. As they styled themselves truly, through the merits of Christ, chap. ii. 18.

Verse 6

Understanding in not in the Roman (Calmet) or the Alexandrian copy [of the Septuagint]. (Haydock) --- Some read "of justice," Ephesians v. 11. (Calmet)

Verse 9

Post. Septuagint, "fame." --- Fama malum quo non aliud velocius ullum.

Mobilitate viget, viresque acquirit eundo. (Virgil, Æneid iv.)

Verse 13

Virtue. How quickly passes the life of man, (Proverbs xxx. 18.) and how few leave behind them a good reputation! Many of those whose actions are recorded in history, were falsely admired, (Calmet) and indeed the scourges of mankind. (Haydock)

Verse 14

Such, &c. This is not in the original; but supplied to complete the sense, (Calmet) as otherwise the following remarks would seem to be the confession of the damned in hell, (Haydock) or before the judgment-seat. (Castro.) --- The past time is used to shew the certainty of the event. (Worthington)

Verse 15

Dust. Septuagint, Psalm i. 4. Literally, "like the tender beard, (Haydock) or wool." Lanugo. (Calmet)

Verse 16

Care. Literally, "thought." (Haydock) --- God thinks and provides for them.

Verse 17

Crown. The Scripture thus represents the glory of the blessed, because there is nothing more desirable than independence. But the happiness of the elect will be to throw their crowns at the foot of God's throne, (Apocalypse vii. 10.; Calmet) in whom they find every advantage. (St. Augustine, ser. i. de vit. apost.)

Verse 18

Armour. Septuagint, "he will take zeal, his complete armour." (Haydock) --- See Isaias lix. 17., and Ephesians vi. 16. (Calmet) --- The misery of the damned is unchangeable. (Worthington)

Verse 20

CHAPTER V.

Verse 21

Unwise. "As we have sinned in all, we are wounded by every thing." (St. Gregory, hom. 25.; Ev.)

Verse 22

Directly. Straight to the mark. (Menochius)

Verse 23