Proverbs 12
1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is brutish..
”Rather, he that loveth knowledge loveth discipline, i.e., to put himself in the place of a learner; while ‘he that hateth reproof,’ who will not take advice, is ‘brutish,’ ‘nourishing a blind life within the brain,’ like the animals who are incapable of improvement.”(Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers)
2 A good man obtains favor from Yahweh but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.
A good man.... “One that is made so by the grace of God, for no man is so naturally; there is none good, nor does good, no, not one, until some good thing is put into him, or the good work of grace is begun in him. And such a man obtains favour or good will from the Lord;… but a man of wicked devices will he condemn; whose thoughts, and the imaginations of his heart, are evil continually; who is always contriving mischief to others: such a man shall be so far from enjoying the favour of God, that he shall be pronounced guilty of death, and condemned to it; he shall be banished from the presence of the Lord, and be punished with everlasting destruction…” (Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible)
3 A man is not established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous cannot be moved.
Man is inherently mortal but will receive the gift of immortality by faith in Jesus Christ at His Coming. For the wage of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. When He comes again apart from sin for salvation the dead in Christ shall be raise incorruptible. Then this mortal shall put on immortality.
4 An excellent wife [literally wife of valor] is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his ...bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 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.
“The thoughts of the righteous are right — His constant purpose is to be upright before God, and just and true in all his dealings with men. But the counsels of the wicked are deceit — His great care and contrivance are to deceive and wrong others by fair pretence and cunning artifices. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait, &c. — Are designed and ordered to entrap or deceive others, and to destroy them; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them — Namely, from those that lie in wait for them: either, 1st, By prayer to God for their deliverance; or, 2d, By bearing witness … [to them]. The wicked are overthrown, and are not — They and their families shall suddenly perish; but the house — The family and posterity, of the righteous shall stand — On a firm basis, notwithstanding the attempts of their enemies to overthrow them. They shall stand when they that assaulted them are quite extinct.” (Benson Commentary) This day described is the Second Coming of Messiah.
When the Kingdom of God is set up on the earth, these sayings will be true:
8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
"A man shall be commended according to his wisdom,.... Not according to his birth and pedigree; not according to his riches and wealth; not according to the places of honour and trust he may be in; but according to his wisdom, which he discovers in his words and actions, in his life and conversation: not according to the wisdom that is earthly, sensual, and devilish; not according to the wisdom of the world, which comes to nought, either natural or civil; especially that which lies in sophistry and subtlety, in wicked craft and cunning, whereby men trick, overreach, and defraud one another; but according to that which is spiritual and evangelical; which lies in the knowledge of Christ, and of God in Christ, and of those things which belong to salvation; the beginning of which is the fear of the Lord, and which comes from above, and is pure and peaceable. A man possessed of this is commended by all wise and good men, and by the Lord himself; as the wise man is by Christ, Matthew 7:24; who builds his house on a rock; for which reason it stands, as in the preceding verse; BUT HE THAT IS OF A PERVERSE HEART shall be despised; and which appears by the perverse words he speaks against God and Christ; against his people, ways, and worship, as antichrist and his followers do; and by his perverse actions, which are contrary to the light of nature, to the law of God, and Gospel of Christ: and such vile persons are contemned in the eyes of all good men, and are had in abhorrence by the Lord himself; for such who despise him are lightly esteemed; see Proverbs 18:3.” (Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible)
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. [Literally heart]
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.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.
Proverbs 12
16 A fool’s wrath is known at once, but a prudent man covers shame.
“A foolish man, if he is vexed, insulted, or slighted, has no idea of controlling himself or checking the expression of his aroused feelings; he at once, in the same day on which he has been incensed, makes his vexation known. A prudent man covereth - concealeth - shame; takes no notice of an affront at the moment, knowing that by resenting it he will only make matters worse, and that it is best to let passions cool before he tries to set the matter right (comp. Proverbs 20:22; Proverbs 24:29). Christ's injunction goes far beyond this maxim of worldly prudence: ‘I say unto you that ye resist not evil;’ ‘Unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other" (Matthew 5:39; Luke 6:29)…” (Pulpit Commentary)
17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.
In solving controversy: “He who speaks that which he knows is a discoverer of justice.” (Vulgate). “A just man announces well proved assurance [or, 'the open truth'].”“ (Septuagint) "If you are called to testify about something you have seen or that you know about, it is sinful to refuse to testify, and you will be punished for your sin.” (Leviticus 5:1) “So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.” (2 Timothy 1:8) In contrast, the wicked are rash to do whatever it takes to appear better than the other party and to thus appear to be the right party. Their main desire is to glorify themselves.
18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.
‘The fool speaks "like the piercings of a sword, hurtful and pernicious words, whereby they either corrupt men’s minds and manners, or scandalize them, or injure them in their reputation, estate, or life, or otherwise. [In contrast] The tongue of the wise is health; his speech, both in judgment and in common discourse, is sound and wholesome in itself, and tending to the comfort and benefit of others.” (Matthew Poole’s Commentary)
"And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:13-17)
19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
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.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh but those who deal truthfully are His delight.
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.
"Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison." (Mathew 5:25)