Proverbs 12
1Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. 2A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans. 3A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. 4A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones. 5The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. 6The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. 7The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand. 8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised. 9Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honors himself and lacks bread. 10A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding. 12The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. 13An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble. 14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him. 15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel. 16A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent. 17He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies. 18There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals. 19Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary. 20Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace. 21No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil. 22Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight. 23A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness. 24The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. 25Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. 26A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized. 28In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.
Introduction
Proverbs 12
We are here taught to try whether we have grace or no by enquiring how we stand affected to the means of grace. 1. Those that have grace and love it will delight in all the instructions that are given them by way of counsel; admonition, or reproof, by the word or providence of God; they will value a good education, and think it not a hardship, but a happiness, to be under a strict and prudent discipline. Those that love a faithful ministry, that value it, and sit under it with pleasure, make it to appear that they love knowledge. 2. Those show themselves not only void of grace, but void of common sense, that take it as an affront to be told of their faults, and an imposition upon their liberty to be put in mind of their duty: He that hates reproof is not only foolish, but brutish, like the horse and the mule that have no understanding, or the ox that kicks against the goad. Those that desire to live in loose families and societies, where they may be under no check, that stifle the convictions of their own consciences, and count those their enemies that tell them the truth, are the brutish here meant.