1 Whoso loveth discipline loveth knowledge, but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 A good [man] obtaineth favour of Jehovah; but a man of mischievous devices will he condemn.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness; but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A woman of worth is a crown to her husband; but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right; the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are a lying-in-wait for blood; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are no [more]; but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man is commended according to his wisdom; but he that is of a perverted heart shall be despised.
9 Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10 A righteous man is concerned for the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless is void of understanding.
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil [men]; but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].
13 In the transgression of the lips is an evil snare; but a righteous [man] shall go forth out of trouble.
14 A man is satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth; and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16 The vexation of the fool is presently known; but a prudent [man] covereth shame.
17 He that uttereth truth sheweth forth righteousness; but a false witness deceit.
18 There is that babbleth like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21 There shall no evil happen to a righteous [man]; but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; but they that deal truly are his delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of the foolish proclaimeth folly.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful [hand] shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous guideth his neighbour; but the way of the wicked misleadeth them.
27 The slothful roasteth not what he took in hunting; but man's precious substance is to the diligent.
28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 12
Commentary on Proverbs 12 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 12
Pr 12:1-28.
1. loveth knowledge—as the fruit of instruction or training (Pr 1:2).
hateth reproof—(Pr 10:17).
brutish—stupid, regardless of his own welfare (Ps 49:10; 73:22).
3. Wickedness cannot give permanent prosperity.
root … not be moved—firm as a flourishing tree—(Ps 1:3; 15:5; Jer 17:8).
4. A virtuous woman—in the wide sense of well-disposed to all moral duties (Pr 31:10).
maketh ashamed—that is, by misconduct.
rottenness—an incurable evil.
5. thoughts—or, "purposes."
are right—literally, "are judgment," that is, true decisions.
counsels—(Compare Pr 11:14).
deceit—contrary to truth and honesty.
6. The words—or, "expressed designs" of the wicked are for evil purposes.
the mouth—or, "words" of the righteous delivering instead of ensnaring men.
7. Such conduct brings a proper return, by the destruction of the wicked and well-being of the righteous and his family.
8. despised—as opposed to commended (Pr 11:12).
perverse heart—or, "wicked principles," as opposed to one of wisdom.
9. despised—held in little repute, obscure (1Sa 18:23; Isa 3:5).
hath a servant—implying some means of honest living.
honoureth himself—is self-conceited.
10. regardeth—literally, "knoweth" (Ps 1:6).
mercies … cruel—as acts of compassion ungraciously rendered to the needy. The righteous more regards a beast than the wicked a man.
11. The idler's fate is the result of indolence and want of principle (Pr 6:32; 7:7).
12. the wicked … evil—They love the crafty arts of deception.
the root … fruit—their own resources supply them; or, it may be rendered: "He (God) giveth, or, sets (Eze 17:22) the root of the righteous," and hence it is firm: or, the verb is impersonal; "As to the root … it is firm" (Pr 17:19).
13, 14. The wicked is snared, &c.—The sentiment expanded. While the wicked, such as liars, flatterers, &c., fall by their own words, the righteous are unhurt. Their good conduct makes friends, and God rewards them.
15. The way … eyes—The fool is self-conceited (compare Pr 12:1; 1:32; 10:17; Jas 3:17).
16. prudent … shame—He is slow to denounce his insulters (Jas 1:19).
18. speaketh—literally, "speaketh hastily," or indiscreetly (Ps 106:33), as an angry man retorts harsh and provoking invectives.
tongue … health—by soothing and gentle language.
19. Words of truth are consistent, and stand all tests, while lies are soon discovered and exposed.
20. that imagine—or, "plan" (Pr 3:29). They design a deceitful course, to which, with all its evils and dangers to others and themselves, the happiness of peace-makers is opposed (compare Mt 5:9; Ro 12:18).
21. no evil—(as in Ps 91:10), under God's wise limitations (Ro 8:28).
mischief—as penal evil.
22. deal truly—or, "faithfully," that is, according to promises (compare Joh 3:21).
23. concealeth—by his modesty (Pr 10:14; 11:13).
heart … proclaimeth—as his lips speak his thoughts (compare Ec 10:3).
24. slothful—(Compare Margin), so called because he fails to meet his promises.
under tribute—not denoting legal taxes, but the obligation of dependence.
25. a good word—one of comfort.
26. more excellent—(Compare Margin); or, "more successful," while the wicked fail; or, we may read it: "The righteous guides his friend, but," &c., that is, The ability of the righteous to aid others is contrasted with the ruin to which the way of the wicked leads themselves.
27. (Compare Pr 12:24).
took in hunting—or, "his venison." He does not improve his advantages.
the substance … precious—or, "the wealth of a man of honor is being diligent," or "diligence."
precious—literally, "honor" (Ec 10:1).
28. (Compare Pr 8:8, 20, &c.). A sentiment often stated; here first affirmatively, then negatively.