Proverbs 12

Discipline, v.1. Good, righteous, upright, and wicked men, 2,3,5,7,10,12,21,26. A prudent and disgraceful woman a Good and evil, speaking and witnessing truth and falsehood, 6,8,13,14,17,18,22. Modest persons, and boasters, 9. Diligent and slothful persons or deceivers, 11,24,27. Wrath and boasting of fools, and silence of the prudent, 16,23. Heaviness and gladness of heart,25. Path of righteousness, 28.

1. Whoso loveth discipline, [That is, the instruction, whereby men are instructed, for to attain unto knowledge. See above ch.1.on verse 2. Or understand the chastenings of the Lord, which are sent to a man for that very end and purpose, as Deut.11.2. Job 5:17. Psa.94.12. Jer.10.14. Compare above chap.9. the annot. On verse 7.] he loveth knowledge: [unto which a man attaineth by discipline, and instruction] but he that hateth reproof, is brutish.

2. The good man [That is, he that is prone unto good, and practiseth it] shall draw a well-liking of the LORD; [see above ch.8.on verse 35.] but a man of wicked devises [that is, that inventeth and plotteth mischief in his heart, or doth likewise actually commit it. Compare Psalm 5.on verse 7. The Hebrew word is here taken in a bad sense; see of it, Job 21.on verse 27. Also compare below ch.14.17.] will he [namely, the Lord] condemn. [that is, pronounce him to be wicked, and worthy of punishment. See of the Hebrew word, Deut.25.on verse 1. And Job 10.on verse 2.]

3. The (wicked) men shall not be established [That is, shall not long enjoy his desire, he shall not prosper and flourish long. Compare above chapter 10.2. and 11.4.] by wickedness; but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. [the meaning is, that the godly continue firm and unmoveable in their condition, as a tree whose root spreadeth it self deep and wide in the ground, and is well watered, Psalms 1:3. also compare Psalm 15.on verse 5. And Jer.17.verse 8.]

4. A prudent wife [that is, a wise, virtuous woman, and one that knoweth how to keep her house in order. Hebr. A woman of prudence, or, virtue. See of the Hebrew word, Gen.47.on verse 6.] is a crown [that is, ornament and glory: see of the word crown taken in this sense, Job 19.on verse 9.] of her Lord; [that is, husband. So Exod.21.3. Joel 1:8.] but she that maketh ashamed, is as rottenness in his bones. [that is, a grief and vexation to his soul, and a consumption to his body, because he beholdeth his shame always before his eyes. See the same comparison, below ch.14.30. Habakkuk 3:16. and the like, Psalms 42:11. also contrary, Ps.51.20.]

5. The thoughts of the righteous are right: [That is, are well conceived, or imagined, according as equity and justice requireth. Compare Numb.27.11. and the annot.] the counsels [this word is here taken in a bad sense, for crafty intentions, and cunning devices or plottings to do mischief. Elsewhere it’s taken in a good sense; see of it, Job 37.on verse 12.] of the wicked are deceit.

6. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood; [See 1 Sam.22.9,10. Ps.52.5,6. Compa.ab.ch.1.11,18. And ch.11.9.] but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. [to wit, those for whose blood the wicked lie in wait. See examples, 1 Sam.19.4. Esth.7.2,3.]

7. The wicked are overturned [Hebr. The wicked over turn; that is, are overturned; that is, destroyed] (so) that they are no more: [That is, so that they are taken away from this world. See Gen.42.13. and the annot. Also Psalm 39.14. and 103.16. Jer.31.15. Mat.2.18. Compare also Gen.5.24. Psalms 37:36, &c.] but the house [that is, the estate, riches, habitation, and posterity. So 2 Sam.7.29. Job 8:15. Psalms 49:17. blow chap.14.11.] of the righteous shall stand.

8. Every one shall be commended [To wit, of wise men, and such as judge rightly] according as his understanding is: [that is, according as he can make it appear by words and works, that he hath wisdom and understanding tending to true piety] but he that is perverse in heart, [see above chapter 11.on verse 20.] shall be contempt.

9. Better is he that esteemeth himself mean [Oth. That is esteemed mean: But we may plainly perceive by the opposition, that here is spoken of him, that hath a mean and low esteem of himself] and hath a servant; [that is, hath so much, as that he may cause himself to be served, and waited upon. Oth. That is a servant to himself; that is, that serveth himself, or is his own fervent] then he that honoureth himself: [to wit, bragging that he is a great rich man, and hath a great estate] and lacketh bread. [see below ch.13.7.]

10. The righteous man knoweth the life [Heb.soul] of his beast; [that is, a righteous man taketh care of the life of his beasts: to wit, to give them that which is needful for them. The word knowing is often taken for taking care, and looking to. See Gen.18.on verse 19. And Psalm 1.on verse 6.] but the mercies of the wicked are cruel: [Hebrew a cruel ones: that is, they are the mercies of a cruel man; that is, they are no mercies, for cruel men have no mercies, for cruel men have no mercy at all.]

11. He that tilleth his land, shall be satisfied with bread: [So below chapter 28.19.] but he that followeth vain (men), [that is, idle vagabonds, bare and necessitous persons, and such as are empty, and void of grace, and of the fear of God. See Judges 9.on verse 4.] is void of understanding.

12. The wicked desireth the net of evil men: [That is, the heinous practises, and crafty devices, which evil men use to deceive the godly by to rob them of their estate, and to oppress them. Oth. The net of evil things, or, of all manner of evil; that is, whereby all manner of iniquity is committed] but the root of the righteous [that is, the piety or godliness, wherein the godly are firmly rooted and grounded. Compare above verse 3.] shall give forth. [that is, shoot out, spring forth, and bear fruit. The meaning is, that they, dealing truly and faithfully in the fear of the Lord, shall have enough. This verse is likewise thus translated: The wicked desireth (indeed) a strong hold against all evil, but the root of the righteous giveth (the same.)

13. In the transgression of the lips [To wit, which a wicked man in speaking committeth against God, and against his neighbour] is the snare of the wicked: [that is, the snare, wherein the wicked man himself is caught. Compare above chapter 10. Verse 14. And below chapter 18.verse 7.] but the righteous shall come out of distress. [that is, out of great trouble, and that by the wise and discreet use of his lips.]

14. Every one is satisfied with good [To wit, with that good, which concerneth both his temporal both his temporal and eternal welfare] by the fruit of the mouth: [meaning his wise and godly speeches. Compare below chapter 13.2. and 18.20. Hebr. By the fruit of a mans mouth is he satisfied with good; that is, according as every one shall use his tongue well, shall he receive good at the hand of God] and the recompence of a mans hands [meaning of a mans own hands] shall be recover to himself. [that is, obtain again of God out of free grace. According as every one hath done, it shall be likewise done unto him.]

15. The way [see Genesis 6.on verse 12.] if a fool is right in his own eyes: [that is, in his own eyes: [that is, in his own conceit, and judgement. See Lev.13.on verse 5. And Job 18.on verse 3. Compare above chapter 3.7.] but he that hearkeneth to counsel, [to wit, which is holy, and wholesome, so that he trusteth not to his own understanding, and good conceit] his wise.

16. The fools wrath is known [To wit, by his words, gestures, and actions] the same day: [that is, at the same time and season, that he is grown angry at the hurt done to him] but he that is prudent, covereth [so below on verse 23. See of the word prudent, above chapter 1.on verse 4.] shame. [to wit, which proceedeth from sudden anger.]

17. He that uttereth [Hebr. Bloweth] truth, maketh righteousness known; [that is, discovereth that which doth rightly agree with that which is done or spoken, that no man may be wronged] but a witness of falsities, deceit. [that is, not agreeing with the truth of the thing that is done, and that to hurt a man craftily thereby. Compare below chap.14.5.]

18. There is one, that uttereth (words) indiscreetly, like the piercings of a sword: [that is, that with rash and ill advised speeches. Hurt and wound their neighbour in his mind, honour, life, and well-being, as a man is hurt and wounded in his body with a sword. See 1 Sam.22.9,10. Psalms 57:5. and 59.8. below chap.16.27.] but the tongue of the wise is physic. [that is, as physic, it not onely crueth and healeth that which is weakened and hurt, but also preverseth from being weakened, or hurt. Compare above chapter 4.on verse 22.]

19. A true lip [Hebr. Lip of truth: that is, which speaketh truth: So lip of flattery, which speaketh flattery, Psalms 12:3. lips of falsehood, which speak falsehood, Psalms 31:19. lips of knowledge, which utter knowledge, below chapter 14.7. So immediately in this verse, tongue of falsehood, or of lies, is put for a tongue, which speaketh falsehood, or lies, also below verse 22. Also lips of righteousness, that is, lips that speak or utter righteous words, below chapter 16.13.] shall be established for ever: [truth (and consequently he that speaketh truth) abideth constant, and is always fixed and immoveable in it self, although it be sometimes gainsaid, or spoken against] but a false tongue is (but) for a moment.

20. Deceit is in the heart of them that forge evil: [To wit, the evil of dissention, and strife] but those that counsel (for) peace, have joy. [to wit, in their heart in the sight of God, and in their life in the sight of men.]

21. (There) shall no harm [Or, trouble, or, affliction] happen to the righteous: [to wit, which should be so offered to him by the wicked, as that he should faint and lie down under it. No, but all things shall work for good unto him, Rom.8.28. Oth.no iniquity shall befall him: to wit, into which the righteous should come to fall: so, as that he should not be raised up again out of it by the spirit of God. Of the Hebrew word rendered here harm, see Job 5.on verse 6.] but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

22. False lips [Se above chap on verse 19.] are an abomination unto the LORD: but they that deal faithfully [Hebr. Perform faithfulness or, truth; that is, those that both in words and deeds, both towards God, and towards their neighbour, keep truth and faithfulnesssincerely and uprightly. So Ezek.18.9. 1 John 1:6.] are his delight. [that is, well-pleasing and acceptable unto him. So above chap.11.20.]

23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: [That is, he poureth it not out by foolish and vaunting discourse, that he may thereby make a shew of himself. Compare ab.chapter 13.16. and 15.2.] but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. [that is, all manner of ignorance, and error, concerning faith, and the life and practice of men. Compare above chap.13.16. and 15.2.]

24. The hand of the diligently shall bear rule; [Comp.above chap.10.4.] but the deceivers shall be under tribute. [that is, under them that bear rule, and have dominion, impose taxes and tributes. See the same phrase, Judg.1.30,35. Lamen.1.1. Hebr. The deceit shall be, etc. See Job 25.on verse 13. Understand by these deceivers, the idle, lazy, slothful vagabonds, who because they will not work, seek to live by cheating and thievery. See above chap.10.4. and the annot. Also below verse 27.]

25. Carefulness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad.

26. The righteous is more excellent [To wit, in the sight of God, and of good men, who look not on the outward pomp and prosperity of this life, but on the good that is begun in the godly here, and shall be compleated and perfected hereafter] then his neighbour; [namely, then his neighbour, that is wicked] but the way [that is, life, practice, and course of dealing] of the wicked, causeth them to erre. [to wit, themselves, and others, namely, by the outward shew, which the wicked make of ease, delight, pleasure, riches, honour, greatness, high estate, &c.]

27. A deceiver [Hebr. The deceit. See on the foregoing twenty fourth verse] shall not roast [that is, not use, or enjoy] that which he took in hunting: [understand hereby all manner of wealth gotten by cunning and deceitful practices] but the precious wealth of man, [so is wealth, or riches, well and honestly gotten by fraud and deceit] is the diligently ones. [to wit, that getteth his living by his honest labour, and lawful calling. Oth. The wealth of a diligent man is precious. Oth. The precious wealth of a man is diligence. Oth. The wealth shall be the precious (that is, the godly mans) (and) diligent mans. Some take it thus: the wealth of the precious (that is, of the godly) man shall be cut off. (that is, be used, and enjoyed.)]

28. In the path of righteousness is life; [Compare above ch.10.16.] and (in) the way of the foot-path (thereof, there is) no death.