Wisdom Defined and Introduced in Person.
A FUNDAMENTAL TRAIT OF WISDOM IS THE AVOIDANCE OF WICKEDNESS. — V. 17. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird, literally, “in the eyes of everything possessing wings,” that is, if even a bird will flee from the net which is openly spread in his sight, how much more should a God-fearing young person shun the allurement of crime held out with such boldness!
V. 18. And they lay wait for their own blood, it is their own lives which are finally taken, either on account of treachery in their own ranks or because murder will be punished at last; they lurk privily for their own lives, being caught in the net which they spread for others.
V. 19. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain, that is the fate of all those who choose a career of crime in serving the vice of avarice, which taketh away the life of the owners thereof, unjust gain invariably bringing punishment upon the criminal. The love of money is the root of all evil, drawing men into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown them in destruction and perdition, I Tim. 6, 9. 10.