Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 12

Verse 6

The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

Lie in wait — Are designed to entrap others, and to destroy them.

Deliver them — From those that lie in wait for them.

Verse 7

The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

Are not — Both they and their families suddenly perish.

Verse 9

He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

Despised — That lives in a mean condition.

Honoureth — That glories in his high birth or gay attire.

Verse 10

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

Regardeth — He will not destroy it either by labour beyond its strength, or by denying it necessary food or rest.

Cruel — There is cruelty mixed even with their most merciful actions.

Verse 11

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

Tilleth — That employs his time in an honest calling.

Vain persons — In an idle course of living.

Verse 12

The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

Desireth — He approves those arts, which wicked men use like nets to ensnare other men.

The root — That piety, which is the root of his actions, yields him sufficient fruit both for his own need, and to do good to others.

Verse 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.

Mouth — By his pious and profitable discourses.

Hands — Of his actions.

Verse 15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Hearkeneth — That distrusts his own judgments, and seeks counsel from others.

Verse 16

A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

Covereth — The shame, or injury done to him, which he conceals and bears with patience.

Verse 17

He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

Deceit — He who uses himself to lying in his common talk, will use falsehood and deceit in judgment.

Verse 18

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Health — Tends to the comfort and benefit of others.

Verse 19

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

A moment — Liars, though they may make a fair shew for a season, yet are quickly convicted.

Verse 20

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

Deceit — They whose hearts devise mischief shall be deceived in their hopes, and bring trouble upon themselves: but they who by good counsels labour to promote peace, shall reap the comfort of it themselves.

Verse 23

A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Concealeth — He does not unseasonably utter what he knows.

Foolishness — Betrays his ignorance and folly.

Verse 25

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

A good word — A compassionate or encouraging word.

Verse 26

The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

Neighbour — Than any other men.

Seduceth — Heb. maketh them to err, to lose that excellency or happiness which they had promised themselves.

Verse 27

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

Resteth not — Does not enjoy the fruit of his labours.

Precious — Yields him comfort and blessing with it.