4 A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.
A quiet mind is the life of the body, but envy is a disease in the bones.
Wisdom is building her house, but the foolish woman is pulling it down with her hands.
It is better to be living in an angle of the house-top, than with a bitter-tongued woman in a wide house.
It is better to be living in a waste land, than with a bitter-tongued and angry woman.
Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels. The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands. She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away. She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls. After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work. She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong. She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night. She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel. Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need. She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red. She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple. Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land. She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price. Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.
Hearing it, my inner parts were moved, and my lips were shaking at the sound; my bones became feeble, and my steps were uncertain under me: I gave sounds of grief in the day of trouble, when his forces came up against the people in bands.
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,