For my people [is] foolish, they have not known me; they [are] sottish children, and they have none understanding: they [are] wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
Ver. 22. For my people is foolish, they have not known me.] To know and to worship God aright, is the only true wisdom, saith Lactantius. a
They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.] In terrenis lyncei, in caelestibus talpae. Wise the wicked are in their generation, subtle and sly; but so is the serpent, or the fox. The swine that wandereth can make better shift to get home than the sheep can to the fold. They have received "the spirit of this world"; 1Co 2:12 the devil also worketh effectually in them, as a smith in his forge. Eph 2:2 Hence they are "wise to do evil." Elymas was a sorcerer, subtle fellow, but the devil's child, and so the more dangerous. Act 13:10 Magnum ingenium et magna tentatio, saith Vincentius Lirinensis, concerning Origen, who had a great wit, but proved a great scandal to the Church. The devil covets to be adorned by thee, said Augustine to one that was wittily wicked. Surely as jet gathereth dross and refuse things to itself, but lets go gold and precious things; so do the world's wizards.
a Lib. iii. cap. 30.