12 The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.
He keeps himself in a secret place like a lion in his hole, waiting to put his hands on the poor man, and pulling him into his net.
He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which gives its fruit at the right time, whose leaves will ever be green; and he will do well in all his undertakings.
Truly, to no purpose is the net stretched out before the eyes of the bird: And they are secretly waiting for their blood and making ready destruction for themselves. Such is the fate of everyone who goes in search of profit; it takes away the life of its owners.
The property of the man of wealth is his strong town: the poor man's need is his destruction.
In days to come Jacob will take root: Israel will put out buds and flowers; and the face of the world will be full of fruit.
And those of Judah who are still living will again take root in the earth, and give fruit.
For there are sinners among my people: they keep watch, like men watching for birds; they put a net and take men in it. As the fowl-house is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: for this reason they have become great and have got wealth. They have become fat and strong: they have gone far in works of evil: they give no support to the cause of the child without a father, so that they may do well; they do not see that the poor man gets his rights.
A blessing is on the man who puts his faith in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he will be like a tree planted by the waters, pushing out its roots by the stream; he will have no fear when the heat comes, but his leaf will be green; in a dry year he will have no care, and will go on giving fruit.
The good man is gone from the earth, there is no one upright among men: they are all waiting secretly for blood, every man is going after his brother with a net.
He takes them all up with his hook, he takes them in his net, getting them together in his fishing-net: for which cause he is glad and full of joy. For this reason he makes an offering to his net, burning perfume to his fishing-net; because by them he gets much food and his meat is fat. For this cause his net is ever open, and there is no end to his destruction of the nations.
And those on the rock are those who with joy give hearing to the word; but having no root, they have faith for a time, and when the test comes they give up. And those which went among thorns are those who have given hearing, and go on their way, but they are overcome by cares and wealth and the pleasures of life, and they give no fruit. And those in the good earth are those who, having given ear to the word, keep it with a good and true heart, and in quiet strength give fruit.
I am the vine, you are the branches: he who is in me at all times as I am in him, gives much fruit, because without me you are able to do nothing.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 12
Commentary on Proverbs 12 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 12
Pro 12:1
We are here taught to try whether we have grace or no by enquiring how we stand affected to the means of grace.
Pro 12:2
Note,
Pro 12:3
Note,
Pro 12:4
Note,
Pro 12:5
Note,
Pro 12:6
In the foregoing verse the thoughts of the wicked and righteous were compared; here their words, and those are as the abundance of the heart is.
Pro 12:7
We are here taught as before (v. 3 and ch. 10:25, 30),
Pro 12:8
We are here told whence to expect a good name. Reputation is what most have a high regard to and stand much upon. Now it is certain,
Pro 12:9
Note,
Pro 12:10
See here,
Pro 12:11
Note,
Pro 12:12
See here,
Pro 12:13
See here,
Pro 12:14
We are here assured, for our quickening to every good word and work,
Pro 12:15
See here,
Pro 12:16
Note,
Pro 12:17
Here is,
Pro 12:18
The tongue is death or life, poison or medicine, as it is used.
Pro 12:19
Be it observed, to the honour of truth, that sacred thing,
Pro 12:20
Note,
Pro 12:21
Note,
Pro 12:22
We are here taught,
Pro 12:23
Note,
Pro 12:24
Note,
Pro 12:25
Here is,
Pro 12:26
See here,
Pro 12:27
Here is,
Pro 12:28
The way of religion is here recommended to us,