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.

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.

Cross References

• 1. 12:16 [ch. 14:33; 29:11]
• 2. 12:17 ch. 14:5
• 3. 12:17 See ch. 6:19
• 4. 12:18 See Ps. 57:4
• 5. 12:18 See ch. 4:22
• 6. 12:19 ch. 19:9; [Ps. 52:4, 5]
• 7. 12:20 ch. 3:29
• 8. 12:21 Ps. 91:10; [1 Pet. 3:13; 2 Pet. 2:9]
• 9. 12:22 [Rev. 22:15]; See ch. 6:17
• 10. 12:22 ch. 11:20
• 11. 12:22 [ch. 11:1]
• 12. 12:23 [ch. 13:16; 15:2]
• 13. 12:23 [ch. 13:16; 15:2]
• 14. 12:24 [ch. 10:4; 13:4]
• 15. 12:24 [Gen. 49:15; 1 Kgs. 9:21]
• 16. 12:25 ch. 15:13; [ch. 17:22]
• 17. 12:27 [ver. 24]
• 18. 12:28 See ch. 10:2

Footnotes

• [a] 12:17 Hebrew 'breathes out'
• [b] 12:26 Or 'The righteous chooses his friends carefully'
• [c] 12:27 Or 'but diligence is precious wealth'