Verse 13. Through the lips of the Christian other men get wisdom. If we will think of it, men get it in no other way. "Faith cometh by hearing" (Rom. x. 17). The Church hands itself down, by the blessing of heaven, from lip to lip. But then from the same lips comes a _rod._ The good man, not listened to, becomes a scourge. Christ Himself becomes an instrument of death.--_Miller._ Solomon and his son admirably illustrate this contrast. Such wisdom was found in his lips, but fruit of an understanding heart, that "all the world came to hear of it" (1 Kings iv. 31). Rehoboam was as _void,_ as his father was _full,_ of understanding. His folly prepared a rod for his back (1 Kings xii. 13-24). Learn then to seek for wisdom at the lips of the wise. The want of this wisdom, or rather the want of a heart to seek it, will surely bring us under _the rod._ In many a chastisement we shall feel its smart; for the loose education of our children (chap. xxix. 15); for carnal indulgence (2 Sam. xii. 9-11). And how different is this _rod_ from our Father's loving adoption (chap. iii. 11, 12); this, the mark of disgrace. Will not the children of God cry, "Turn away the reproach that I fear, for Thy judgments are good" (Psa. cxix. 39).--_Bridges._ The wise man carries the ornament of his wisdom in his _lips;_ the fool shall bear the disgrace of his folly on his back.--_Fausset._ He who trembleth not in hearing shall be broken to pieces in feeling.--_Bradford._ The dwelling of wisdom is in the heart, but there it is _hid;_ in the lips it is _found._ There it sitteth, like an ancient Israelite, at the gates of the city, marking what goes out, and weighs it before it passeth, that nothing issue forth which may disparage the honour or wrong the estate of the city. There shall _folly find it,_ as smart and heavy in the reproof of it as a rod is to the back, and which is fit for him whose tongue is void of understanding. For it is reason that his back should bear, whose tongue will not forbear.--_Jermin._