Proverbs 12
Proverbs 12:1-4:
Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
Proverbs 12:5:
The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the counsels of the wicked is deceitful. |
The word "thoughts" here means essentially the plans, principles, and the intentions that we live by, the governing direction of our lives. It does not mean our every thought but the basic governing thinking of a man which reveals itself in action. It is that which Paul speaks of when he says, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5). St Paul is not speaking of a mere profession of faith but of a life so lived that it manifests the governing power of Christ and His Word.
Solomon goes on to tell us that "the counsels of the wicked are deceit." The word "counsels" has the same meaning as "thoughts," and "deceit" means "underhanded." It refers, not to the practices of open evildoers and criminals, but to hypocrites. Such wicked men are deceitful or underhanded in that they profess one thing and do another. They profess to believe in the Lord, but their intentions are to exploit the cover of Christian faith for other purposes. Their "counsels" are thus hidden and underhanded. |
Proverbs 12:6-14:
The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
9 Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.
14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.
The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
9 Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.
14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.
Proverbs 12:15:
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise |
Sixty-nine verses in the King James Bible include the word “fool.” The most well-known would probably be Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1; both tell us, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” The book of Proverbs contains more than half of the “fool” verses. It is interesting how Proverbs, a book known for its wisdom, repeatedly tells us how a fool behaves.
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Proverbs 12:16-18:
16 A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame.
17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
16 A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame.
17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
Proverbs 12:19:
19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment. |
Truth offers security and confidence. When people demonstrate they value truth, honesty, and integrity, this enables their customers – including employees, stakeholders, and suppliers, to work with them confidently. “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare” (Proverbs 21:6).
Truth brings freedom. One of the harsh realities of being dishonesty is the difficulty in remembering what we have said if we have been untruthful. True statements, on the other hand, are comparatively easy to remember. Honesty frees us from the fear of being caught in a lie. As Jesus told His followers, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). -Robert J. Tamasy |
Proverbs 12:20-21:
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.
21 No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.
21 No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
Proverbs 12:22:
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. |
The prophets of Israel played an important role in exposing the deceptions of their day and pointing God’s people to the truth. Today, we still need faithful men who are willing to counter the evil that comes from falsehood in all areas of life. “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight” (Proverbs 12:22). The prophet Isaiah had much to say about falsehood and lying throughout his book of prophecy. He lived in a time when the truth of God’s Law was neglected, and many false prophets abounded in the land of Israel. These false prophets yielded to the wishes of the people who begged them to “prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isaiah 30:10). Isaiah, a true prophet of God, called his generation “a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD” (Isaiah 30:9). In addressing the leaders of Israel, Isaiah charged them with saying “we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves” (Isaiah 28:15). This “hiding under falsehood” characterizes not only ancient Israel, but also the godless society of our own generation. Our rulers, our media, and our public education system have taken refuge under a massive system of deception. Good has been called evil. Evil has been called good. God’s Word has become suspect, and critics of the Bible have an open platform to downplay the truth. We have left honoring the Creator and begun worshipping the creature. -Institute for Basic Life; Matters of Life & Death teaching series. |
Proverbs 12:23-28:
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.
28 In the way of righteousness is life,And in its pathway there is no death.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.
28 In the way of righteousness is life,And in its pathway there is no death.