Proverbs 12

1 He that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates reproofs is a fool.

2 He that has found favour with the Lord better; but a transgressor shall be passed over in silence.

3 A man shall not prosper by wickedness; but the roots of the righteous shall not be taken up.

4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.

5 The thoughts of the righteous judgments; but ungodly men devise deceits.

6 The words of ungodly men are crafty; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7 When the ungodly is overthrown, he vanishes away; but the houses of the just remain.

8 The mouth of an understanding is praised by a man; but he that is dull of heart is had in derision.

9 Better is a man in dishonour serving himself, than one honouring himself and wanting bread.

10 A righteous man has pity for the lives of his cattle; but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful.

11 He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread; but they that pursue vanities are void of understanding. He that enjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall leave dishonour in his own strong holds.

12 The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the roots of the godly are firmly set.

13 For the sin of lips a sinner falls into snare; but a righteous man escapes from them. He whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, but he that contends in the gates will afflict souls.

14 The soul of a man shall be filled with good from the fruits of his mouth; and the recompence of his lips shall be given to him.

15 The ways of fools are right in their own eyes; but a wise man hearkens to counsels.

16 A fool declares his wrath the same day; but a prudent man hides his own disgrace.

17 A righteous man declares the open truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.

18 Some wound as they speak, swords; but the tongues of the wise heal.

19 True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.

20 deceit in the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that love peace shall rejoice.

21 No injustice will please a just man; but the ungodly will be filled with mischief.

22 Lying lips are a abomination to the Lord; but he that deals faithfully is accepted with him.

23 An understanding man is a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.

24 The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule; but the deceitful shall be for a prey.

25 A terrible word troubles the heart of a righteous man; but a good message rejoices him.

26 A just arbitrator shall be his own friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray.

27 A deceitful man shall catch no game; but a blameless man is a precious possession.

28 In the ways of righteousness is life; but the ways of those that remember injuries to death.

Proverbs 12 Commentary

Chapter 12

Verse 1 Those who have grace, will delight in the instructions given them. Those that stifle their convictions, are like brutes. Verse 2 . The man who covers selfish and vicious designs under a profession of religion or friendship, will be condemned. Verse 3 . Though men may advance themselves by sinful arts, they cannot settle and secure themselves. But those who by faith are rooted in Christ, are firmly fixed. Verse 4 . A wife who is pious, prudent, and looks well to the ways of her household, who makes conscience of her duty, and can bear crosses; such a one is an honour and comfort to her husband. She that is the reverse of this, preys upon him, and consumes him. Verse 5 . Thoughts are not free; they are under the Divine knowledge, therefore under the Divine command. It is a man's shame to act with deceit, with trick and design. Verse 6 . Wicked people speak mischief to their neighbours. A man may sometimes do a good work with one good word. Verse 7 . God's blessing is often continued to the families of godly men, while the wicked are overthrown. Verse 8 . The apostles showed wisdom by glorying in shame for the name of Christ. Verse 9 . He that lives in a humble state, who has no one to wait upon him, but gets bread by his own labour, is happier than he that glories in high birth or gay attire, and wants necessaries. Verse 10 . A godly man would not put even an animal to needless pain. But the wicked often speak of others as well used, when they would not endure like treatment for a single day. Verse 11 . It is men's wisdom to mind their business, and follow an honest calling. But it is folly to neglect business; and the grace of God teaches men to disdain nothing but sin. Verse 12 . When the ungodly see others prosper by sin, they wish they could act in the same way. But the root of Divine grace, in the heart of the righteous, produces other desires and purposes. Verse 13 . Many a man has paid dear in this world for the transgression of his lips. Verse 14 . When men use their tongues aright, to teach and comfort others, they enjoy acceptance through Christ Jesus; and the testimony of their conscience, that they in some measure answer the end of their being. Verse 15 . A fool, in the sense of Scripture, means a wicked man, one who acts contrary to the wisdom that is from above. His rule is, to do what is right in his own eyes. Verse 16 . A foolish man is soon angry, and is hasty in expressing it; he is ever in trouble and running into mischief. It is kindness to ourselves to make light of injuries and affronts, instead of making the worst of them. Verse 17 . It is good for all to dread and detest the sin of lying, and to be governed by honesty. Verse 18 . Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole. Verse 19 . If truth be spoken, it will hold good; whoever may be disobliged, still it will keep its ground. Verse 20 . Deceit and falsehood bring terrors and perplexities. But those who consult the peace and happiness of others have joy in their own minds. Verse 21 . If men are sincerely righteous, the righteous God has engaged that no evil shall happen to them. But they that delight in mischief shall have enough of it. Verse 22 . Make conscience of truth, not only in words, but in actions. Verse 23 . Foolish men proclaim to all the folly and emptiness of their minds. Verse 24 . Those who will not take pains in an honest calling, living by tricks and dishonesty, are paltry and beggarly. Verse 25 . Care, fear, and sorrow, upon the spirits, deprive men of vigour in what is to be done, or courage in what is to be borne. A good word from God, applied by faith, makes the heart glad. Verse 26 . The righteous is abundant; though not in this world's goods, yet in the graces and comforts of the Spirit, which are the true riches. Evil men vainly flatter themselves that their ways are not wrong. Verse 27 . The slothful man makes no good use of the advantages Providence puts in his way, and has no comfort in them. The substance of a diligent man, though not great, does good to him and his family. He sees that God gives it to him in answer to prayer. Verse 28 . The way of religion is a straight, plain way; it is the way of righteousness. There is not only life at the end, but life in the way; all true comfort.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or. better is he, etc.
• [b]. Gr. pure.

Chapter Summary

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.