Proverbs 12:2-12

2 He that is good, shall draw to himself (the) grace of the Lord (He who is good, shall draw favour to himself from the Lord); but he that trusteth in his (own) thoughts, doeth wickedly.

3 A man shall not be made strong by wickedness; and the root of just men shall not be moved. (No one is made strong by wickedness; but the roots of the righteous shall not be uprooted.)

4 A diligent woman is a crown to her husband; and rot is in the bones of that woman, that doeth things worthy of confusion. (A diligent woman is a crown to her husband; but rot is in the bones of her, who doeth shameful things.)

5 The thoughts of just men be dooms; and the counsels of wicked men be guileful. (The thoughts of the righteous be lawful; and the plans of the wicked be deceitful/and the advice of the wicked is deceptive.)

6 The words of wicked men set treason to blood; the mouth of just men shall deliver them. (The words of the wicked set ambush for blood; the words of the righteous shall save them.)

7 (Over)Turn thou wicked men, and they shall not be; but the houses of just men shall dwell perfectly. (Overturn thou, or bring thou down, the wicked, and they shall not be; but the families of the righteous shall continue.)

8 A man shall be known by his teaching; but he that is vain and heartless, shall be open to despising.

9 Better is a poor man, and sufficient (un)to himself, than (to be) a (self-)glorious man, and needy of bread.

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.)

Proverbs 12:2-12 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.