Proverbs12
World English Bible · Public Domain
1 Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
9 Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honors himself and lacks bread.
10 A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
12 The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13 An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.
16 A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
17 He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.
18 There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
19 Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
21 No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight.
23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
24 The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
26 A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
28 In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.
Study
Proverbs 12Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 12. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
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