Proverbs 12:16-28

16 ¹The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

17 ²Whoever speaks^[a] the truth gives honest evidence, but ³a false witness utters deceit.

18 ⁴There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings ⁵healing.

19 Truthful lips endure forever, but ⁶a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of ⁷those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.

21 ⁸No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.

22 ⁹Lying lips are ¹⁰an abomination to the LORD, ¹¹but those who act faithfully are his delight.

23 ¹²A prudent man conceals knowledge, ¹³but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

24 ¹⁴The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be ¹⁵put to forced labor.

25 ¹⁶Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,^[b] but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 ¹⁷Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.^[c]

28 ¹⁸In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.

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Proverbs 12:16-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KING 2

This chapter gives an account of the charge David gave to his son Solomon, a little before his death, to walk in the ways of the Lord, 1Ki 2:1-4; and of some instructions delivered to him concerning some particular persons he should either show favour to, or execute justice on, 1Ki 2:5-9; and the next account in it is concerning his death and burial, and the years of his reign, 1Ki 2:10,11; after which it relates an address of Bathsheba to Solomon in favour of Adonijah, which was refused, and the issue of it was his death, 1Ki 2:12-25; and the deposition of Abiathar from the priesthood, 1Ki 2:26,27; and the putting of Joab to death for his treason and murders, 1Ki 2:28-34; in whose post Benaiah was put, as Zadok was in the place of Abiathar, 1Ki 2:35; and lastly the confinement of Shimei in Jerusalem, who had cursed David, 1Ki 2:36-38; who upon transgressing the orders given him was put to death, 1Ki 2:39-46.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 18

1. [Proverbs 14:33; Proverbs 29:11]
2. Proverbs 14:5
3. See Proverbs 6:19
4. See Psalms 57:4
5. See Proverbs 4:22
6. Proverbs 19:9; [Psalms 52:4, 5]
7. Proverbs 3:29
8. Psalms 91:10; [1 Peter 3:13; 2 Peter 2:9]
9. [Revelation 22:15]; See Proverbs 6:17
10. Proverbs 11:20
11. [Proverbs 11:1]
12. [Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 15:2]
13. [Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 15:2]
14. [Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 13:4]
15. [Genesis 49:15; 1 Kings 9:21]
16. Proverbs 15:13; [Proverbs 17:22]
17. [ver. 24]
18. See Proverbs 10:2

Footnotes 3

[a]. Hebrew breathes out
[b]. Or The righteous chooses his friends carefully
[c]. Or but diligence is precious wealth

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.