1 Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof `is' brutish.
2 The good bringeth forth favour from Jehovah, And the man of wicked devices He condemneth.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.
4 A virtuous woman `is' a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones `is' one causing shame.
5 The thoughts of the righteous `are' justice, The counsels of the wicked -- deceit.
6 The words of the wicked `are': `Lay wait for blood,' And the mouth of the upright delivereth them.
7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous standeth.
8 According to his wisdom is a man praised, And the perverted of heart becometh despised.
9 Better `is' the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.
10 The righteous knoweth the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked `are' cruel.
11 Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied `with' bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,
12 The wicked hath desired the net of evil doers, And the root of the righteous giveth.
13 In transgression of the lips `is' the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress.
14 From the fruit of the mouth `is' one satisfied `with' good, And the deed of man's hands returneth to him.
15 The way of a fool `is' right in his own eyes, And whoso is hearkening to counsel `is' wise.
16 The fool -- in a day is his anger known, And the prudent is covering shame.
17 Whoso uttereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, And a false witness -- deceit.
18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.
19 The lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment -- a tongue of falsehood.
20 Deceit `is' in the heart of those devising evil, And to those counselling peace `is' joy.
21 No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.
22 An abomination to Jehovah `are' lying lips, And stedfast doers `are' his delight.
23 A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.
24 The hand of the diligent ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary.
25 Sorrow in the heart of a man boweth down, And a good word maketh him glad.
26 The righteous searcheth his companion, And the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
27 The slothful roasteth not his hunting, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.
28 In the path of righteousness `is' life, And in the way of `that' path `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.