Proverbs 12

Proverbs 12:1

v. 1. Whoso loveth instruction, including all moral training, loveth knowledge, for that is the fruit of such training; but he that hateth reproof is brutish, for in resenting correction a person places himself on the level of beasts in stupidity.

Proverbs 12:2

v. 2. A good man obtaineth favor of the Lord, is an object of Jehovah’ s good pleasure; but a man of wicked devices will He condemn, for He loathes planning which intends the neighbor’ s harm.

Proverbs 12:3

v. 3. A man shall not be established by wickedness, the prosperity of such a one will not be lasting, nor will it give him true happiness; but the root of the righteous shall not be moved; as their faith is rooted in Jehovah, their foundation is secure.

Proverbs 12:4

v. 4. A virtuous woman, a wife of moral power and probity, as shown in her pious activity in the home, is a crown to her husband, an emblem of honor and glory before the whole world; but she that maketh ashamed, causing him shame by her misconduct, is as rottenness in his bones, like a gnawing worm, a canker slowly undermining and destroying.

Proverbs 12:5

v. 5. The thoughts of the righteous are right, just and pious, leading to words and deeds which are also righteous; but the counsels of the wicked are deceit, the manner in which they influence and direct others is deceitful and is bound to work harm.

Proverbs 12:6

v. 6. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood, they intend malice and violence, their thoughts find expression in bloodthirsty and murderous ways; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them, namely, those whose life is threatened by the wicked with their murderous designs.

Proverbs 12:7

v. 7. The wicked are overthrown and are not, they come to an end like the ungodly inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah; but the house of the righteous shall stand, sustained in the midst of all storms by the power of Jehovah.

Proverbs 12:8

v. 8. A man shall be commended according to (literally, “in the presence of”) his wisdom, in proportion to the insight he shows in all matters of life; but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised, his crooked and malicious dealings meeting with the contempt and condemnation which they deserve.

Proverbs 12:9

v. 9. He that is despised and hath a servant is better, rather, “Better is the lowly that serveth himself,” being of small means and not too proud to be found engaged in performing the work of a servant about the house, than he that honoreth himself and lacketh bread, his pride of birth or caste keeping him from honest work.

Proverbs 12:10

v. 10. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast, taking proper care of his domestic animals; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel, they are utterly devoid of sympathy and compassion.

Proverbs 12:11

v. 11. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread, his industry ordinarily being rewarded in this manner; but he that followeth vain persons, vanity, idleness, laziness, is void of understanding, lacks the very principles of ordinary common sense.

Proverbs 12:12

v. 12. The wicked desireth the net of evil men, rather, the spoil, that which is taken in the net; that is, one wicked person tries to deprive the other of his ill-gotten gains, their selfishness causing them to consume one another; but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit; since all their acts flow from faith, they are filled with a power which impels them forward in righteous conduct.

Proverbs 12:13

v. 13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips, his own speeches prove a dangerous snare to him, so that he is overthrown; but the just shall come out of trouble, escaping from the net which was placed for his feet.

Proverbs 12:14

v. 14. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, his own wise, benevolent, and charitable discourse results in blessings to him; and the recompense of a man’ s hands, what he deserves for his works, shall be rendered unto him, the justice of God being shown in rewards as well as in acts of punishment.

Proverbs 12:15

v. 15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, in his own judgment, making it practically impossible to convince him of the contrary; but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise, or, “the wise listens to sound advice,” it is one of his characteristics.

Proverbs 12:16

v. 16. A fool’s wrath is presently known, his indignation breaks out suddenly, often without a careful examination of the difficulty which caused it; but a prudent man covereth shame, he exercises prudent self-control, he keeps his temper well in hand always.

Proverbs 12:17

v. 17. He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness; breathing the atmosphere of the love of truth, he utters that which is strictly just; but a false witness deceit, he breathes and speaks lies.

Proverbs 12:18

v. 18. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword, his speeches being as rude and sharp as knife thrusts, their intention being to hurt and injure; but the tongue of the wise is health, healing, intended to overcome the effect of sharp speeches and to bind up the wounds inflicted by foolish babblers.

Proverbs 12:19

v. 19. The lip of truth shall be established forever, for truth, although trodden to the earth, will ever rise again; but a lying tongue is but for a moment, the falsehood being readily exposed and therefore losing its power.

Proverbs 12:20

v. 20. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil, for they can rarely carry out their evil intentions without malignity and deceit; but to the counselors of peace is joy, those who give wholesome counsel, and the peacemakers, cause rejoicing.

Proverbs 12:21

v. 21. There shall no evil happen to the just, the very suffering coming upon them in God’s wise government being but blessings in disguise, Psalms 91:10; Romans 8:28; but the wicked shall be filled with mischief, evil, misfortune, and calamity striking them.

Proverbs 12:22

v. 22. Lying lips are abomination to the Lord, He loathes liars and deceivers; but they that deal truly, practicing uprightness always, are His delight.

Proverbs 12:23

v. 23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge, not showing off his knowledge upon every occasion; but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness, they are bound to expose their nonsense by their forward manner.

Proverbs 12:24

v. 24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, he will reach a position of power and influence; but the slothful shall be under tribute, being obliged to serve, to hold a subordinate position, all his life.

Proverbs 12:25

v. 25. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop, it is readily bowed down by trouble and grief; but a good word maketh it glad, so that he straightens up from his grief and gains new courage.

Proverbs 12:26

v. 26. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor, rather, guideth his friend aright, being concerned about his welfare, in a true spirit of altruism; but the way of the wicked seduceth them, their own foolishness and wickedness leading them astray.

Proverbs 12:27

v. 27. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting, literally, “catcheth not his prey,” being too lazy to make use of his opportunities; but the substance of a diligent man is precious, his industry is a valuable possession and grasps the opportunities offered him.

Proverbs 12:28

v. 28. In the way of righteousness is life, it leads to the possession and enjoyment of true life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death, no misfortune of any kind, for it is only the devious way that leads to destruction.