NOTES for Pro 12:1-28
1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. |
2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. |
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. |
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. |
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. |
6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. |
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. |
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. |
9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. |
10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. |
11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. |
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. |
13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. |
14 A 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. |
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. |
16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. |
17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. |
18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. |
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. |
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy. |
21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. |
22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. |
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. |
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. |
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. |
26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. |
27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. |
28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. |
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It may seem that when the Proverbs speak of the practical return from a righteous way of life, they emphasize earthly gain. The righteous person is indeed promised prosperity, praise from others, a harvest and other joys, but it is stressed that none of these is an end in itself; they are the consequence of wisdom and righteousness, which are interconnected. Yet neither wisdom nor righteousness lies about in the street waiting to be picked up. They come from within and are connected with the ability to listen to oneself and another person, to exercise self-control and not to exalt oneself. These are not abstractions imposed from outside, but realities that act upon a person. For the same reason, falsehood, for example, is more than an incorrect statement: it leads away from God and destroys relationships between people, as well as the person subject to this vice.
Following the path of wisdom is not only righteous, but can also bring practical benefit, though only when benefit is not one's first priority. Whoever chases gain risks not obtaining it and, even after achieving it, may destroy himself.
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