Proverbs 23 · John Wesley
Put a knife - Restrain thine appetite, as if a man stood with a knife at thy throat.
Deceitful - They do not yield thee that satisfaction which thou didst expect from them.
Thine own wisdom - From worldly wisdom, which persuades men to use all possible means to get riches.
Set thine eyes - Look upon it with earnestness and desire. Is not - Which has no solid and settled being. Eagle - Swiftly, strongly, and irrecoverably.
Evil eye - Of the envious or covetous man.
So is he - You are not to judge of him by his words, but by the constant temper of his mind.
Vomit up - When thou perceivest his churlish disposition, his meat will be loathsome to thee. Sweet words - Thy pleasant discourse wherewith thou didst design to delight and profit him.
Of a fool - Cast not away good counsels upon incorrigible sinners.
Enter not - To possess their lands.
Redeemer - Heb. their near kinsman, to whom it belongs to avenge their wrongs, and to recover and maintain their rights.
Shall not die - It is a likely way to prevent his destruction.
My reins - I shall rejoice with all my soul.
An end - An expected and happy end for such as fear God.
Guide - Order the whole course of thine affections and actions. In the way - In God's way.
Buy - Purchase it upon any terms, spare no pains or cost. Truth - The true and saving knowledge of God's will. Sell it not - Do not forsake it for any worldly advantage.
Give me - Solomon here speaks in God's name.
Mixt wine - Either mixed with water, or with other ingredients to make it strong and delicious.
Red - Which was the colour of the best wines in that country. Aright - When it sparkles, and seems to smile upon a man.
Lieth down - To sleep. Sea - In a ship in the midst of the sea.