Proverbs 12

WHoso loveth instruction Admonition or reproof, as appears from the next Clause, which is a singular means of getting true and sound knowledge., loveth knowledg Shows that he is a true lover of knowledge, because he is willing to purchase it upon such unwelcome terms, as reproofs are generally esteemed.: but he that hateth reproof, is brutish Discovereth himself to be a most foolish and stupid Creature, because he is an enemy to himself and to his own happiness..

A good man obtaineth favour Whereby he is and shall be acquitted and justified. of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices Who designeth and industriously committeth wickedness. will he condemn When he standeth in judgment, howsoever he may for the present justifie himself and deceive others into a good opinion of him..

A man shall not be established by wickedness By any sinful courses by which he useth to secure or stablish himself; whereby he implies that he shall be rooted up.: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved To wit, out of its place. He shall stand fast and flourish like a welrooted Tree..

A vertuous woman is a crown A singular ornament and matter of his glorying and joy. to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed That by her folly or wickedness bringeth shame to her self and to her Husband., is as rottenness in his bones Loathsom and vexatious, and pernicious..

The thoughts of the righteous are right His constant purpose is to deal justly and truly with God and with men.: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit His great care and contrivance is to wrong and deceive others by fair pretences and cunning Artifices..

The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood Are designed and ordered to intrap or deceive others, and to destroy them.: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them To wit, from those that lie in wait for them: which it does, either 1. by prayer to God for their deliverance: Or 2. by pacifying the wicked with soft and gentle answers, or by diverting them from their evil course by their good counsels and admonitions: Or 3. by pleading their righteous cause in a judicial or other way..

The wicked are overthrown, and are not Both they and their Families shall suddenly perish.: but the house The Family or Posterity. of the righteous shall stand.

A man shall be commended To wit, by wise and good men. according to his wisdom More or less according to the degree of Wisdom which his discourses and actions discover to be in him.: but he that is of a perverse heart Which he shows by his wicked words and conversation. shall be despised By God and all wise men..

He that is despised That liveth in a... ean and obscure condition in the World, for such are commonly despised by men of an higher ra... k. and ‖ has a servant Has but one Servant. Or rather, as it is in the Margent, is Servant to himself, has none to wait upon him or work for him but himself, that getteth Bread by his own labours., is better Is happier. than he that honoureth himself That glorieth in his high Birth or gay attire., and lacketh bread Wants necessaries for his own sustenance.

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast Which is employed in his Service, he will not destroy it either by labours beyond its strength, or by denying to it necessary food or rest, or by any other way: and much more will he be pitiful to his own Servants, and to poor men.: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. e There is much cruelty mixed even with their most merciful actions, when they pretend or intend to show mercy. Heb. the Bowels of the, &c. those very Bowels which in others are the seat of pity in him are hardned and shut up, and only stir him up to cruelty. In stead of that Mercy which is natural to other men, he has nothing but cruelty. Their Mercies are here said to be cruel, as the foolishness, and weakness of God, are said to be wise and strong, 1 Cor. 1. 25.

He that tilleth his land That employeth his time and strength in an honest calling. shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons That useth their society and idle course of living. is void of understanding Shall through his own folly want Bread..

The wicked desireth the net of evil men He approveth and useth those cunning and deceitful arts, which wicked men use like Nets to ensnare other men, and to take their goods to themselves. Or, he desireth the Fortress of wicked men, or, of wickedness, i. e. he seeks to fortifie and stablish himself by wicked practices.: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit That Justice and Piety, in which he is rooted, and which is the root of his actions, does of it self, without the aid of any indirect and sinful courses, yield him sufficient fruit both for his own need, and to do good to others. But, because the word fruit is not in the Hebrew, and may seem to be too great a supplement, it is and may be rendred thus, the root of the Righteous giveth it, to wit, that Fortress or security which others seek in wickedness..

The wicked is snared i. e. Brought into trouble. by the transgression of his lips By his wicked speeches against God and men.: but the just shall come out of trouble To wit, by his wise and holy, and in offensive speeches, whereby he pacifieth men and gaineth God's favour and protection..

A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth By his pious and profitable Discourses., and the recompense of a mans hands i. e. Of his works and actions, of which the hand is the great instrument. Whereby also may be implied that God will not regard nor recompence good words, unless they be accompanied with a good conversation. shall be rendred unto him To wit, by God, to whom the work of retribution belongs..

The way of a fool The counsel and course which his own mind suggests to him in the ordering of his affairs. is right in his own eyes Highly pleaseth him, so that he neglects and despiseth the opinions and advices of others.: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel That distrusteth his own judgment, and seeketh counsel from others. is wise.

A fools wrath is presently known By his rash words and indecent actions, whereby he exposeth himself to shame.: but a prudent man covereth shame Either 1. the shame, or reproach, or injury done to him by others, which he concealeth and beareth with patience and passeth by, as his duty and interest obligeth him to do. Or, 2. his own shame, to which the... olly of rash anger would have betrayed him..

He that speaketh truth Heb. He that will speak truth, i. e. he who accustometh himself to speak truth in common conversation; for the future Tense in the Hebrew Tongue oft notes a continued act or habit., shows forth righteousness To wit, as a witness in publick judgment, he will speak nothing but what is true and just; you may depend upon his Testimony., but a false witness deceit He who useth himself to lying in his common talk, will use falseshood and deceit in judgment..

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword Hurtful and pernicious words, whereby they either corrupt mens minds and manners, or scandalize them, or injure them in their Reputation, Estate, or Life, or otherwise.: but the tongue of the wise is health His speech both in judgment, and in common discourse, is found and wholesom in it self, and tending to the comfort and benefit of others..

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. d The speaker of truth is constant, and always agreeable to himself, and his words the more and longer they are tried, the more does the truth of them appear, whereas Liars, though they may make a fair show for a season, yet are easily and quickly convicted of falshood.

Deceit Either 1. towards others, whom they design to deceive, and then to destroy, whilst good Counsellers bring safety and joy to others. Or rather 2. to themselves. So the sense of the Verse is, They whose hearts devise mischief against others shall be deceived in their hopes, and bring that trouble upon themselves which they design against others; but they who by good counsels labour to promote the Peace and Happiness of others, shall reap the comfort and benefit of it to themselves. is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. f Either 1. of sin, or rather 2. of suffering or mischief, as the next clause explains this: No such evil shall befall them, as does commonly befall the wicked, who are filled, or overwhelmed, and utterly destroyed by it, whereas good men are supported under their troubles, and shall be delivered out of them, and receive much benefit by them.

Lying lips are an a bomination to the LORD, but they that deal truly That speak and act sincerely and truly. He implies that although lying lips alone are sufficient to purchase Gods hatred, yet truth in a mans speech is not sufficient to procure Gods favour, unless there be also Truth and Justice in his actions. are his delight.

A prudent man concealeth knowledge He does not vain-gloriously and unseasonably utter what he knows, but keeps it in his breast till he has a fit occasion to bring it forth for Gods Glory and the good of others.: but the heart of Fools proclaimeth foolishness Whilest he makes ostentation of his knowledge, he betrays his Ignorance and Folly. Compare Eccles. 10. 3..

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule Shall procure Wealth and Power.: but the slothful Heb. The deceitful. So he calls the slothful, because Deceit and... dleness are commonly companions, and such men seek to gain by Fraud what they either cannot or will not get by honest Labour. Compare Prov. 10. 4. shall be under tribute.

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop, but a good word A compassionate or encouraging word from a Friend or Minister. maketh it glad.

The righteous is more excellent Either 1. In his temper and disposition, more just, and generous, and publick spirited, and merciful, &c. Or 2. In his condition, more happy, notwithstanding all his sufferings and the contrary opinion of the world concerning them. than his neighbour Than any other man who is unrighteous.: but the way of the wicked That course of Life which they choose and follow, and by which they design and expect to excel other men. seduceth them Heb. maketh them to err or wander, to lose that excellency or happiness which they had promised to themselves, in and by their wicked practices..

The slothful man Or, The deceitful man, as v. 24. who seeks to enrich himself by fraudulent and unjust practices. rosteth not that which he took in hunting Does not enjoy the fruit of his Labours or devices, either because he does not labour, and so has nothing to waste or enjoy; or because God oft times deprives him either of such ill-gotten goods, or at least of a quiet and comfortable fruition of them.: but the substance of a diligent man is precious Yields him great comfort and satisfaction, partly because it abides with him, and partly because he has Gods Favour and blessing with it..

In the way of righteousness is life, and in the path-way thereof there is no death The practice of Justice and Godliness, though it expose a man to some dangers and inconveniences in the world, yet it will certainly lead him to Life and Happiness, whereas the end of all wicked courses is death and destruction..