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.
24 The hand H3027 of the diligent H2742 shall bear rule: H4910 but the slothful H7423 shall be under tribute. H4522
25 Heaviness H1674 in the heart H3820 of man H376 maketh it stoop: H7812 but a good H2896 word H1697 maketh it glad. H8055
26 The righteous H6662 is more excellent H8446 than his neighbour: H7453 but the way H1870 of the wicked H7563 seduceth H8582 them.
27 The slothful H7423 man roasteth H2760 not that which he took in hunting: H6718 but the substance H1952 of a diligent H2742 man H120 is precious. H3368
28 In the way H734 of righteousness H6666 is life; H2416 and in the pathway H5410 H1870 thereof there is no death. H4194
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; But the slothful shall be put under taskwork.
25 Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor; But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of men `is to' the diligent.
28 In the way of righteousness is life; And in the pathway thereof there is no death.
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!
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful [hand] shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous guideth his neighbour; but the way of the wicked misleadeth them.
27 The slothful roasteth not what he took in hunting; but man's precious substance is to the diligent.
28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
24 The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, But laziness ends in slave labor.
25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, But a kind word makes it glad.
26 A righteous person is cautious in friendship, But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The slothful man doesn't roast his game, But the possessions of diligent men are prized.
28 In the way of righteousness is life; In its path there is no death.
24 The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.
25 Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.
26 The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.
27 He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.
28 In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 12
Commentary on Proverbs 12 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 12
Pr 12:1-28.
1. loveth knowledge—as the fruit of instruction or training (Pr 1:2).
hateth reproof—(Pr 10:17).
brutish—stupid, regardless of his own welfare (Ps 49:10; 73:22).
3. Wickedness cannot give permanent prosperity.
root … not be moved—firm as a flourishing tree—(Ps 1:3; 15:5; Jer 17:8).
4. A virtuous woman—in the wide sense of well-disposed to all moral duties (Pr 31:10).
maketh ashamed—that is, by misconduct.
rottenness—an incurable evil.
5. thoughts—or, "purposes."
are right—literally, "are judgment," that is, true decisions.
counsels—(Compare Pr 11:14).
deceit—contrary to truth and honesty.
6. The words—or, "expressed designs" of the wicked are for evil purposes.
the mouth—or, "words" of the righteous delivering instead of ensnaring men.
7. Such conduct brings a proper return, by the destruction of the wicked and well-being of the righteous and his family.
8. despised—as opposed to commended (Pr 11:12).
perverse heart—or, "wicked principles," as opposed to one of wisdom.
9. despised—held in little repute, obscure (1Sa 18:23; Isa 3:5).
hath a servant—implying some means of honest living.
honoureth himself—is self-conceited.
10. regardeth—literally, "knoweth" (Ps 1:6).
mercies … cruel—as acts of compassion ungraciously rendered to the needy. The righteous more regards a beast than the wicked a man.
11. The idler's fate is the result of indolence and want of principle (Pr 6:32; 7:7).
12. the wicked … evil—They love the crafty arts of deception.
the root … fruit—their own resources supply them; or, it may be rendered: "He (God) giveth, or, sets (Eze 17:22) the root of the righteous," and hence it is firm: or, the verb is impersonal; "As to the root … it is firm" (Pr 17:19).
13, 14. The wicked is snared, &c.—The sentiment expanded. While the wicked, such as liars, flatterers, &c., fall by their own words, the righteous are unhurt. Their good conduct makes friends, and God rewards them.
15. The way … eyes—The fool is self-conceited (compare Pr 12:1; 1:32; 10:17; Jas 3:17).
16. prudent … shame—He is slow to denounce his insulters (Jas 1:19).
18. speaketh—literally, "speaketh hastily," or indiscreetly (Ps 106:33), as an angry man retorts harsh and provoking invectives.
tongue … health—by soothing and gentle language.
19. Words of truth are consistent, and stand all tests, while lies are soon discovered and exposed.
20. that imagine—or, "plan" (Pr 3:29). They design a deceitful course, to which, with all its evils and dangers to others and themselves, the happiness of peace-makers is opposed (compare Mt 5:9; Ro 12:18).
21. no evil—(as in Ps 91:10), under God's wise limitations (Ro 8:28).
mischief—as penal evil.
22. deal truly—or, "faithfully," that is, according to promises (compare Joh 3:21).
23. concealeth—by his modesty (Pr 10:14; 11:13).
heart … proclaimeth—as his lips speak his thoughts (compare Ec 10:3).
24. slothful—(Compare Margin), so called because he fails to meet his promises.
under tribute—not denoting legal taxes, but the obligation of dependence.
25. a good word—one of comfort.
26. more excellent—(Compare Margin); or, "more successful," while the wicked fail; or, we may read it: "The righteous guides his friend, but," &c., that is, The ability of the righteous to aid others is contrasted with the ruin to which the way of the wicked leads themselves.
27. (Compare Pr 12:24).
took in hunting—or, "his venison." He does not improve his advantages.
the substance … precious—or, "the wealth of a man of honor is being diligent," or "diligence."
precious—literally, "honor" (Ec 10:1).
28. (Compare Pr 8:8, 20, &c.). A sentiment often stated; here first affirmatively, then negatively.