121 Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof 'is' brutish.
2 The good bringeth forth favour from Jehovah, And the man of wicked devices He condemneth.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.
4 A virtuous woman 'is' a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones 'is' one causing shame.
5 The thoughts of the righteous 'are' justice, The counsels of the wicked—deceit.
6 The words of the wicked 'are': 'Lay wait for blood,' And the mouth of the upright delivereth them.
7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous standeth.
8 According to his wisdom is a man praised, And the perverted of heart becometh despised.
9 Better 'is' the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.
10 The righteous knoweth the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked 'are' cruel.
11 Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied 'with' bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,
12 The wicked hath desired the net of evil doers, And the root of the righteous giveth.
13 In transgression of the lips 'is' the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress.
14 From the fruit of the mouth 'is' one satisfied 'with' good, And the deed of man's hands returneth to him.
15 The way of a fool 'is' right in his own eyes, And whoso is hearkening to counsel 'is' wise.
16 The fool—in a day is his anger known, And the prudent is covering shame.
17 Whoso uttereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, And a false witness—deceit.
18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.
19 The lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment—a tongue of falsehood.
20 Deceit 'is' in the heart of those devising evil, And to those counselling peace 'is' joy.
21 No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.
22 An abomination to Jehovah 'are' lying lips, And stedfast doers 'are' his delight.
23 A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.
24 The hand of the diligent ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary.
25 Sorrow in the heart of a man boweth down, And a good word maketh him glad.
26 The righteous searcheth his companion, And the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
27 The slothful roasteth not his hunting, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.
28 In the path of righteousness 'is' life, And in the way of 'that' path 'is' no death!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 12:1-33
Commentary on Proverbs 12:1
(Read Proverbs 12:1)
Those who have grace, will delight in the instructions given them. Those that stifle their convictions, are like brutes.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:2
(Read Proverbs 12:2)
The man who covers selfish and vicious designs under a profession of religion or friendship, will be condemned.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:3
(Read Proverbs 12:3)
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:4
(Read Proverbs 12:4)
A wife who is pious, prudent, and looks well to the ways of her household, who makes conscience of her duty, and can bear crosses; such a one is an honour and comfort to her husband. She that is the reverse of this, preys upon him, and consumes him.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:5
(Read Proverbs 12:5)
Thoughts are not free; they are under the Divine knowledge, therefore under the Divine command. It is a man's shame to act with deceit, with trick and design.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:6
(Read Proverbs 12:6)
Wicked people speak mischief to their neighbours. A man may sometimes do a good work with one good word.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:7
(Read Proverbs 12:7)
God's blessing is often continued to the families of godly men, while the wicked are overthrown.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:8
(Read Proverbs 12:8)
The apostles showed wisdom by glorying in shame for the name of Christ.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:9
(Read Proverbs 12:9)
He that lives in a humble state, who has no one to wait upon him, but gets bread by his own labour, is happier than he that glories in high birth or gay attire, and wants necessaries.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:10
(Read Proverbs 12:10)
A godly man would not put even an animal to needless pain. But the wicked often speak of others as well used, when they would not endure like treatment for a single day.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:11
(Read Proverbs 12:11)
It is men's wisdom to mind their business, and follow an honest calling. But it is folly to neglect business; and the grace of God teaches men to disdain nothing but sin.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:12
(Read Proverbs 12:12)
When the ungodly see others prosper by sin, they wish they could act in the same way. But the root of Divine grace, in the heart of the righteous, produces other desires and purposes.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:13
(Read Proverbs 12:13)
Many a man has paid dear in this world for the transgression of his lips.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:14
(Read Proverbs 12:14)
When men use their tongues aright, to teach and comfort others, they enjoy acceptance through Christ Jesus; and the testimony of their conscience, that they in some measure answer the end of their being.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:15
(Read Proverbs 12:15)
A fool, in the sense of Scripture, means a wicked man, one who acts contrary to the wisdom that is from above. His rule is, to do what is right in his own eyes.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:16
(Read Proverbs 12:16)
A foolish man is soon angry, and is hasty in expressing it; he is ever in trouble and running into mischief. It is kindness to ourselves to make light of injuries and affronts, instead of making the worst of them.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:17
(Read Proverbs 12:17)
It is good for all to dread and detest the sin of lying, and to be governed by honesty.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:18
(Read Proverbs 12:18)
Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:19
(Read Proverbs 12:19)
If truth be spoken, it will hold good; whoever may be disobliged, still it will keep its ground.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:20
(Read Proverbs 12:20)
Deceit and falsehood bring terrors and perplexities. But those who consult the peace and happiness of others have joy in their own minds.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:21
(Read Proverbs 12:21)
If men are sincerely righteous, the righteous God has engaged that no evil shall happen to them. But they that delight in mischief shall have enough of it.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:22
(Read Proverbs 12:22)
Make conscience of truth, not only in words, but in actions.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:23
(Read Proverbs 12:23)
Foolish men proclaim to all the folly and emptiness of their minds.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:24
(Read Proverbs 12:24)
Those who will not take pains in an honest calling, living by tricks and dishonesty, are paltry and beggarly.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:25
(Read Proverbs 12:25)
Care, fear, and sorrow, upon the spirits, deprive men of vigour in what is to be done, or courage in what is to be borne. A good word from God, applied by faith, makes the heart glad.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:26
(Read Proverbs 12:26)
The righteous is abundant; though not in this world's goods, yet in the graces and comforts of the Spirit, which are the true riches. Evil men vainly flatter themselves that their ways are not wrong.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:27
(Read Proverbs 12:27)
The slothful man makes no good use of the advantages Providence puts in his way, and has no comfort in them. The substance of a diligent man, though not great, does good to him and his family. He sees that God gives it to him in answer to prayer.
Commentary on Proverbs 12:28
(Read Proverbs 12:28)
The way of religion is a straight, plain way; it is the way of righteousness. There is not only life at the end, but life in the way; all true comfort.