Verse 22. The licentious flatter themselves that in old age, when the passions are less fiery, they will easily extricate themselves from the dominion of their lusts, and repent and seek salvation. But Job xx. 11 declares that the old sinner's "bones are full of the sins of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust." Augustine, after experience, says: "While lust is being served the habit is formed, and whilst the habit is not being resisted necessity is formed."--_Fausset._ Verse 23. Surely it is most just that he who lived without following instruction should die without having instruction; he that in his life would not do as he was instructed, deserveth that at death he should not be instructed what to do.--_Jermin._ * * * * * * CHAPTER VI. CRITICAL NOTES.--+1. With+ a stranger, rather, "for" a stranger. +3. When thou art come,+ rather, "for thou hast come." +Humble thyself,+ literally "let thyself be trodden under foot." +Make sure,+ "importune," "urge." +11. One that travelleth,+ "a highwayman," "a footpad." +Armed man,+ literally, "a man of the shield." +12. A naughty person,+ "a worthless man." +13. Teacheth,+ "motions." +14. Frowardness,+ "perverseness." +16.+ Six, yea, seven. "A peculiar proverbial form, for which Arabic and Persian gnomic literature supply numerous illustrations." Elster probably gives the simplest and most correct explanation, deriving it "purely from the exigencies of parallelism." "The form of parallelism could not, on account of harmony, be sacrificed in any verse. But how should a parallel be found for a number? Since it was not any definite number that was the important thing, relief was found by taking one of the next adjacent numbers as the parallel to that which was chiefly in mind" (_Lange's Commentary_). +17. A proud look,+ literally, "haughty eyes." +21. Continually,+ "for evermore." +22.+ _Lange's Commentary_ translates into the imperative form, "+let+ it lead thee," etc. +24. Evil woman,+ literally "the woman of evil." +26.+ Last clause means "an adulteress allures to that which may cost a man his life" (_Stuart_). +30. Despise.+ Some translators render this word "scorn," others "disregard." Stuart, Wordsworth, and others adopt the former and understand the words to mean "men do not despise the thief, they do despise the adulterer." Noyse and others, adopting the latter rendering, take the sentence to mean "men punish even a thief, how much more an adulterer." +32.+ Last clause, literally "Whoso will destroy his life, he does it." +34. Jealousy,+ _i.e._, of the injured husband. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 1-5. SELF-IMPOSED BONDAGE.