Vs. 18,19. The book draws to a close with a solemn warning neither to add to these words of God nor to take from them. Both these tendencies are prominent in the world today. A great host of interpreters are expert users of Jehoiakim's pen-knife, and an equal number on the other hand are reading into the Scriptures what isn't there. One evil is as bad as the other; and all alike should give due heed to the solemn admonitions of this closing word. The word of God must have honest treatment, delivered from the ruthlessness of cutters and slashers, and as well from the inoculations of allegorical and mystical interpreters. He who adds to, and he who takes away, are equally guilty.