Proverbs 12:9-28

9 It is better to be lowly and a servant {to someone} than self-glorifying and lacking food.

10 The righteous knows the life of his animal, but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

11 He who works his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows worthless things lacks {sense}.

12 The wicked covets the proceeds of evil, but the root of the righteous {bears fruit}.

13 By the transgression of lips, evil is ensnared, but the righteous escapes from trouble.

14 From the fruit of the mouth of a man, he is filled with good, and the reward of {a man's labor} will return to him.

15 The way of a fool is upright in his [own] eyes, but he who listens to advice [is] wise.

16 As for a fool, {on that very day} he makes his anger known, but he who ignores an insult [is] prudent.

17 He who will speak truth will reveal righteousness, but the witness of falsehood, deceit.

18 There is one who speaks rashly, like the thrust of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 A lip of truth endures forever, but a tongue of deception lasts only a moment.

20 Deceit [is] in the heart of {those who plan} evil, but to {those who plan} peace, [there is] joy.

21 {No evil will happen} to the righteous, but the wicked are filled [with] trouble.

22 An abomination of Yahweh are lips of deceit, but they who act faithfully [are] his delight.

23 A clever person conceals knowledge, but the heart of a fool announces folly.

24 The hand of the diligent ones will rule, but the lazy will belong to forced labor.

25 Anxiety in the heart of a man will weigh him down, but a good word will cheer him.

26 A righteous person will seek out his neighbor, but the way of the wicked will lead them astray.

27 The lazy will not roast his game, but diligence is the precious wealth of a man.

28 On the road of righteousness is life, and [on] the way of the path, [may there be] no death.

Proverbs 12:9-28 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "for him," "[belonging] to him"
• [b]. Or "soul," or "inner self"
• [c]. Hebrew "compassions"
• [d]. Literally "heart"
• [e]. Literally "gives, sets up"
• [f]. Literally "the hands of a man"
• [g]. Literally "on the day"
• [h]. Or "mind"
• [i]. Literally "the planners of"
• [j]. Literally "the planners of"
• [k]. Literally "All evil will not happen"
• [l]. Or "mind"
• [m]. Hebrew "fools"
• [n]. Or "mind"