Exhortation to Various Virtues.
OBEDIENCE, FAITH, AND LIBERALITY URGED. — V. 1. My son, forget not my law, the teaching of wisdom; but let thine heart keep my commandments, sincerely observing all instructions of God’s Word; v. 2. for length of days and long life and peace, literally, “years of life and peace,” shall they add to thee, earthly prosperity and happiness following the application of knowledge gained from the divine Law.
V. 3. Let not mercy and truth, both on the part of men and on the part of God, forsake thee, loving sympathy and companionship being one of the prime factors in our moral life; bind them about thy neck, like a costly chain or necklace, from which was suspended the seal-ring; write them upon the table of thine heart, the emphasis being both upon the inward motives and upon the outward expression and adornment in the way of virtues.
V. 4. So shalt thou find favor, gracious acceptance, and good understanding, good reputation, good success, in the sight of God and man, the good opinion on the part of men corresponding to the favorable judgment on the part of God, and both serving for the success of the believer.