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 12:21-28

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.