1 Whoso loveth H157 instruction H4148 loveth H157 knowledge: H1847 but he that hateth H8130 reproof H8433 is brutish. H1198
2 A good H2896 man obtaineth H6329 favour H7522 of the LORD: H3068 but a man H376 of wicked devices H4209 will he condemn. H7561
3 A man H120 shall not be established H3559 by wickedness: H7562 but the root H8328 of the righteous H6662 shall not be moved. H4131
4 A virtuous H2428 woman H802 is a crown H5850 to her husband: H1167 but she that maketh ashamed H954 is as rottenness H7538 in his bones. H6106
5 The thoughts H4284 of the righteous H6662 are right: H4941 but the counsels H8458 of the wicked H7563 are deceit. H4820
6 The words H1697 of the wicked H7563 are to lie in wait H693 for blood: H1818 but the mouth H6310 of the upright H3477 shall deliver H5337 them.
7 The wicked H7563 are overthrown, H2015 and are not: but the house H1004 of the righteous H6662 shall stand. H5975
8 A man H376 shall be commended H1984 according H6310 to his wisdom: H7922 but he that is of a perverse H5753 heart H3820 shall be despised. H937
9 He that is despised, H7034 and hath a servant, H5650 is better H2896 than he that honoureth H3513 himself, and lacketh H2638 bread. H3899
10 A righteous H6662 man regardeth H3045 the life H5315 of his beast: H929 but the tender mercies H7356 of the wicked H7563 are cruel. H394
11 He that tilleth H5647 his land H127 shall be satisfied H7646 with bread: H3899 but he that followeth H7291 vain H7386 persons is void H2638 of understanding. H3820
12 The wicked H7563 desireth H2530 the net H4685 of evil H7451 men: but the root H8328 of the righteous H6662 yieldeth H5414 fruit.
13 The wicked H7451 is snared H4170 by the transgression H6588 of his lips: H8193 but the just H6662 shall come out H3318 of trouble. H6869
14 A man H376 shall be satisfied H7646 with good H2896 by the fruit H6529 of his mouth: H6310 and the recompence H1576 of a man's H120 hands H3027 shall be rendered H7725 H7725 unto him.
15 The way H1870 of a fool H191 is right H3477 in his own eyes: H5869 but he that hearkeneth H8085 unto counsel H6098 is wise. H2450
16 A fool's H191 wrath H3708 is presently H3117 known: H3045 but a prudent H6175 man covereth H3680 shame. H7036
17 He that speaketh H6315 truth H530 sheweth forth H5046 righteousness: H6664 but a false H8267 witness H5707 deceit. H4820
18 There is H3426 that speaketh H981 like the piercings H4094 of a sword: H2719 but the tongue H3956 of the wise H2450 is health. H4832
19 The lip H8193 of truth H571 shall be established H3559 for ever: H5703 but a lying H8267 tongue H3956 is but for a moment. H7280
20 Deceit H4820 is in the heart H3820 of them that imagine H2790 evil: H7451 but to the counsellors H3289 of peace H7965 is joy. H8057
21 There shall no evil H205 happen H579 to the just: H6662 but the wicked H7563 shall be filled H4390 with mischief. H7451
22 Lying H8267 lips H8193 are abomination H8441 to the LORD: H3068 but they that deal H6213 truly H530 are his delight. H7522
23 A prudent H6175 man H120 concealeth H3680 knowledge: H1847 but the heart H3820 of fools H3684 proclaimeth H7121 foolishness. H200
24 The hand H3027 of the diligent H2742 shall bear rule: H4910 but the slothful H7423 shall be under tribute. H4522
25 Heaviness H1674 in the heart H3820 of man H376 maketh it stoop: H7812 but a good H2896 word H1697 maketh it glad. H8055
26 The righteous H6662 is more excellent H8446 than his neighbour: H7453 but the way H1870 of the wicked H7563 seduceth H8582 them.
27 The slothful H7423 man roasteth H2760 not that which he took in hunting: H6718 but the substance H1952 of a diligent H2742 man H120 is precious. H3368
28 In the way H734 of righteousness H6666 is life; H2416 and in the pathway H5410 H1870 thereof there is no death. H4194
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.