The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
The righteous is more excellent [Hebrew, more richly abundant; yaateer (H8446 ): akin to the Greek outhar] than his neighbour - though the world, judging by outward circumstances thinks differently. Even the righteous themselves are tempted by affliction at times to be cast down as if there were no gain in piety, and as if the ungodly fared better (Psalms 73:1-28; Malachi 3:14).
But the way of the wicked seduceth them. If, then "the righteous be more excellent titan his neighbour," how is it that men do not follow their way? Because "the way of the wicked," which is apparently more excellent, or abundant in temporal advantages, seduceth them (Kimchi in Mercer). It "seduceth" with false hopes, doomed to end in the destruction of those so seduced. The way of the righteous, on the contrary, however differently it may be regarded now, is really more excellent, and at last will be seen by all to be so.