Proverbs 12:11-28

11 He ¹who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.

12 The ²wicked man desires the booty of evil men, But the root of the righteous ³yields fruit.

13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the ⁴righteous will escape from trouble.

14 A man will be ⁵satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, And the ⁶deeds of a man's hands will return to him.

15 The ⁷way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

16 A ⁸fool's anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor.

17 He who speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit.

18 There is one who ⁹speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the ¹⁰tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 Truthful lips will be established forever, But a ¹¹lying tongue is only for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.

21 ¹²No * harm befalls the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble.

22 ¹³Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

23 A ¹⁴prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly.

24 The hand of the diligent will rule, But the slack hand will be ¹⁵put to forced labor.

25 ¹⁶Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, But a ¹⁷good word makes it glad.

26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 A lazy man does not roast his prey, But the ¹⁸precious possession of a man is diligence.

28 ¹⁹In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.

Proverbs 12:11-28 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.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 28:19
• 2. Proverbs 21:10
• 3. Proverbs 11:30
• 4. Proverbs 11:8; Proverbs 21:23; 2 Peter 2:9
• 5. Proverbs 13:2; Proverbs 15:23; Proverbs 18:20
• 6. Job 34:11; Proverbs 1:31; Proverbs 24:12; Isaiah 3:10, 11; Hosea 4:9
• 7. Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:2; Proverbs 21:2
• 8. Proverbs 14:33; Proverbs 27:3; Proverbs 29:11
• 9. Psalms 57:4
• 10. Proverbs 4:22; Proverbs 15:4
• 11. Psalms 52:4, 5; Proverbs 19:9
• 12. Psalms 91:10; Psalms 121:7; Proverbs 1:33; 1 Peter 3:13
• 13. Revelation 22:15
• 14. Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 15:2; Proverbs 29:11
• 15. Genesis 49:15; Judges 1:28; 1 Kings 9:21
• 16. Proverbs 15:13
• 17. Isaiah 50:4
• 18. Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 13:4
• 19. Deuteronomy 30:15; Deuteronomy 32:46; Jeremiah 21:8

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "heart"
• [b]. Lit "net"
• [c]. Lit "In the transgression of the lips is an evil snare"
• [d]. Lit "mouth"
• [e]. Lit "breathes"
• [f]. Lit "slackness"
• [g]. Lit "slackness"
• [h]. Or "catch"