Proverbs12
King James Version · Public Domain
1Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
12The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.
23A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 12.
v1
Those who have grace, will delight in the instructions given them. Those that stifle their convictions, are like brutes.
v2
The man who covers selfish and vicious designs under a profession of religion or friendship, will be condemned.
v3
Though men may advance themselves by sinful arts, they cannot settle and secure themselves. But those who by faith are rooted in Christ, are firmly fixed.
Key Words
אָהַב: to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
מוּסָר: properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
דַּעַת: knowledge
שָׂנֵא: to hate (personally)
תּוֹכֵחָה: chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence)
בַּעַר: properly, foot (as consumed); i.e. (by exten.) of cattle brutishness; (concretely) stupid
טוֹב: good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
פּוּק: to issue, i.e. furnish; causatively, to secure; figuratively, to succeed
רָצוֹן: delight (especially as shown)
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Proverbs 12Jesus' parable of the house built on the rock or sand parallel to the house of the righteous standing.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Mosaic law protecting laboring beasts, reflecting the righteous man's care for his animal's life.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The promise that no plague or evil shall befall the dwell of the righteous under God's protection.
Supported by JFB
Parallel proverb linking instruction with life, and the refusal of reproof with error.
Supported by JFB
The righteous depicted as a deeply rooted, unmovable tree by the water.
Supported by JFB
Detailed portrait of the virtuous woman who is a crown to her husband.
Supported by JFB
Contrast between the hand of the diligent making rich and the slack hand leading to poverty.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The unmovable root of the righteous compared to a tree planted by rivers of water.
Supported by JFB
The security of the righteous who shall never be moved.
Supported by JFB
Contrast of those making themselves rich but having nothing versus those seemingly poor.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Tillage and food contrasted with waste through want of judgment.
Supported by Matthew Poole
New Testament fulfillment showing all things work together for good to the just.
Supported by JFB
Keeping the mouth and tongue to keep the soul out of troubles.
Supported by JFB
Being swift to hear and slow to wrath, matching the prudent man covering shame.
Supported by JFB
Diligence as a precious substance, contrasted with laziness in the same chapter.
Supported by JFB