Westminster Annotations, Proverbs · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII.
Vers. 1. WHoso loveth instruction, loveth knowledge] Rather, correction. To wit, by word of mouth, called reproof afterwards. It is a sign he loves knowledge, that can bear his masters reproof: but he that cannot bear it, loves it no more then a beast.
V. 3. the root of the righteous shall not be moved] Chap. 10. 25. The state of the righteous, though it shake sometimes, yet is like a deep rooted tree, it will not be blown down, whereas the wicked fall, when they seem strongest.
V. 4. vertuous] Heb. Of vertue, Chap. 31. 10.
A vertuous woman is a crown to her husband] 1 Cor. 11. 7. Not onelyonly an excellent helper, but also a chief ornament in the eyes of others, chap. 31. 23.
V. 5. The thoughts of the righteous are right] Heb. judgement. That is, right as judgements ought to be.
the counsels of the wicked are deceit] Not onelyonly their rash thoughts, but also their deliberate ones.
V. 6. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood] Chap. 1. 11, 18.
the mouth of the upright shall deliver them] Those whose blood the wicked seek to spill, 1 Sam. 19. 4. or, themselves.
V. 7. The wicked are overthrown, and are not] Psal▪ 37. 37. chap. 11. 21.
V. 8. of a perverse heart] Heb. perverse of heart.
V. 10. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast] I… mercifull even to the very beast that doth him service.
the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel] If they be cruell, when they pretend to shew mercy, what are they, when they come with a drawn sword to shed blood?
tender] Or, bowels.
V. 11. He that tilleth his land, shall be satisfied with bread] Chap. 28. 19.
he that followeth vain persons, is void of understanding] And so neglects his businesse, whereby he should live.
V. 12. The wicked desireth the net of evil men] He continually imagineth means how to do harm to others.
the net] Or, the fortresse.
the root of the righteous yeeldeth fruit] Meaning, their hear… within, which is upright, and doth good to all.
V. 13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips] Heb. The snare of the wicked is in the transgression of lips, Chap. 18. 7. An evill mans tongue brings himself into trouble, and a good mans helps himself out, 1 Sam. 25.
V. 14. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth] Chap. 13. 2.
and the recompence of a mans hands shall be rendred unto him] A good man shall be rewarded both for his good words and works.
V. 15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes] Chap. 3. 7. His own device: for he thinketh himself wisest, and hearkneth to no mans counsell.
he that hearkneth unto counsel is wise] No man is naturally wise: every one therefore must get wisdom by hearkning to others, Job 11. 12.
V. 16. A fools wrath is presently known] Or, A fool is known in the day of his wrath. For then he vents his folly.
presently] Heb. in that day.
a prudent man covereth shame] Bridleth his affections, that he may not speak, or do any thing that may shame him: or, hideth the shame of another, by taking no notice of an injury.
V. 17. He that speaketh truth, sheweth forth righteousnesse] Chap. 14. 5.
a false witnesse] Heb. of lies.
V. 18. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword] Psal. 57. 4. and 59. 7. It is not every man that doth so, but there are some so bad, that their tongues wound like swords.
V. 19. The lip of truth shall be established for ever] A true speaker can stand it out to the end; but a liar can shift but a while.
V. 20. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil] Or, Deceit returns into the heart. That is, they that seek to deceive others, hurt themselves: but they that give good counsell, fare the better for it themselves.
V. 22. Lying lips are abomination to the Lord] Chap. 6. 17. Though God hate all manner of evill; yet lying is most hatefull to him, being a God of truth, Revel. 22. 15.
they that deal truly are his delight] That do as they speak, which liars do not.
V. 23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge] Chap. 13. 16. and 15. 2. He that is wise, reveals his knowledge, onelyonly when he may do good with it: but fools by prating, shew their folly.
V. 24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule] Chapter 10. 4.
the slothfull shall be under tribute] Or, deceitfull: For such men live by their wits, not by their hands.
V. 25. Heavinesse in the heart of man maketh it stoop] Chap. 15. 13. As a heavy burden weighs down the body.
a good word maketh it glad] A word of comfort from a friend.
word] Or, matter▪ chap. 15. 20.
V. 26. excellent] Or, abundant.
the way of the wicked seduceth them] They think their way more excellent; but they are deceived.
V. 27. The slothfull man rosteth not that which he took in hunting] A wicked man gets no good by his, for others get it away: but a good man hath good by his riches.
slothfull man] Heb. man of slacknesse, as chap. 10. 4. Mic. 6. 9.