Proverbs 12:10-28

10 A just man knoweth the lives of his work beasts; but the entrails of wicked men be cruel. (A righteous person careth for the lives of his work beasts; but the hearts of the wicked be cruel.)

11 He that worketh his land, shall be filled with loaves; but he that followeth idleness, is most fool(ish). He that is sweet, that is mild, liveth in temperances; and in his admonishings he forsaketh despisings (He who is humble, liveth temperately; and he forsaketh despisings in all of his admonishings).

12 The desire of a wicked man is the memorial of worst things; but the root of just men shall increase. (The desires of the wicked be a memorial of the worst things; but the roots of the righteous shall increase, or shall go deeper.)

13 For the sins of (his) lips, falling down nigheth to an evil man; but a just man shall escape from anguish (but the righteous shall escape from anguish).

14 Of the fruit of his mouth each man shall be [ful]filled with goods (A person shall be fulfilled with good things by the fruit of his mouth); and by the works of his hands it shall be yielded to him.

15 The way of a fool is rightful in his eyes; but he that is wise, heareth counsels (but he who is wise, listeneth to good advice).

16 A fool showeth anon his ire; but he that dissembleth wrongs, is wise. (A fool showeth his anger at once; but he who overlooketh wrongs, is wise.)

17 He that speaketh that, that he knoweth, is a judge of rightfulness; but he that lieth, is a guileful witness. (He who speaketh what he knoweth, is a just judge/is a judge of righteousness; but he who lieth, is a deceitful witness.)

18 A man is that promiseth, and he is pricked as with the sword of conscience; but the tongue of wise men is health. (There is a person who speaketh, and his words cut like a sword; but the tongues of the wise give health.)

19 The lip of truth shall be steadfast [into] without end; but he that is a sudden witness, maketh ready the tongue of leasing (but he who speaketh a ready answer, often haveth a lying tongue).

20 Guile is in the heart of them that think evils; but joy followeth them that make counsels of peace.

21 Whatever befalleth to a just man, it shall not make him sorry; but wicked men shall be filled with evil. (Whatever befalleth to the righteous, shall not bring them sorrow, or grief; but the wicked shall be filled with evil.)

22 False lips is abomination to the Lord; but they that do faithfully, please him.

23 A fell man covereth knowing; and the heart of unwise men stirreth folly. (A clever person concealeth his knowledge; but the unwise tell out their foolishness.)

24 The hand of strong men shall have lordship; but the hand that is slow, shall serve to tributes. (The hand of the strong shall rule; but those who be lazy, shall become slaves.)

25 Mourning in the heart of a just man shall make him meek; and he shall be made glad by a good word. (Mourning in the heart of a righteous person shall make him weak; but he shall be made happy by a good, or by a kind, word.)

26 He that despiseth harm for a friend, is a just man; but the way of wicked men shall deceive them. (He who despiseth harm to a friend, is a righteous person; but the way of the wicked shall deceive them.)

27 A guileful man shall not find winning; and the substance of (a diligent) man shall be (equal to) the price of gold, that is, preciouser than gold. (A deceitful, or a lazy, person shall not find winning; but the substance, or the reward, of a diligent person shall be equal to the price of gold, that is, shall be more precious than gold.)

28 Life is in the path of rightwiseness (Life is on the path of righteousness); but the wrong way leadeth to death.

Proverbs 12:10-28 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.