CHAPTER 12
but whoever hates reproof is stupid.* a
but the schemer he condemns.*
but the root of the just will never be disturbed.*
but a disgraceful one is like rot in his bones.*
the designs of the wicked are deceit.*
but the speech of the upright saves them.*
but the house of the just stands firm.
but the perverse of heart are despised.*
than put on airs and lack bread.c
but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.*
but those who engage in idle pursuits lack sense.* d
but the root of the righteous will bear fruit.*
but the just escape from a tight spot.
and the works of their hands come back upon them.*
but those who listen to advice are the wise.
but the shrewd conceal contempt.
but the deceitful make lying witnesses.* f
but the tongue of the wise is healing.
the lying tongue, for only a moment.*
but those who counsel peace have joy.
but the wicked are overwhelmed with misfortune.
but those who are truthful, his delight.
but the hearts of fools proclaim folly.*
but sloth makes for forced labor.h
but a kind word gives it joy.i
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
but the wealth of the diligent is splendid.
but the way of abomination leads to death.
* [12:1] Discipline in Proverbs is both doctrine and training. The path to wisdom includes obedience to teachers and parents, acceptance of the community’s traditions.
* [12:2] The antithesis is between the good person who, by reason of that goodness, already has divine acceptance, and the wicked person who, despite great effort, gains only condemnation.
* [12:3] Human beings are described as “made secure” in Jb 21:8; Ps 101:7; 102:29. “Root” in the context means enduring to succeeding generations, as in Mal 3:19 and Jb 8:17.
* [12:4] In Proverbs a crown is the result and sign of wise conduct. A good wife is a public sign of the husband’s shrewd judgment and divine blessing (crown), whereas a bad wife brings him inner pain (rot in the bones).
* [12:5] The opposite of “just” is not injustice but “deceit.” The wicked will be deceived in their plans in the sense that their planning will not succeed.
* [12:6] Words are a favorite theme of Proverbs. The words of the wicked effect harm to others whereas the words of the righteous protect themselves.
* [12:8] The heart, the seat of intelligence, will eventually be revealed in the actions that people do, either for praise or for blame.
* [12:10] The righteous are sympathetically aware of the needs of their livestock and prosper from their herd’s good health. The wicked will pay the price for their self-centeredness and cruelty.
* [12:11] The second line clarifies the first: idleness will give one plenty of nothing. “Lacking sense” is a common phrase for fools.
* [12:12] A difficult, possibly corrupt saying, but there is no good alternative to the Hebrew text. The wicked desire what the malevolent have captured or killed, but their actions will go for naught because they invite punishment. The righteous, on the other hand, will bear fruit.
* [12:14] The saying contrasts words and deeds. “Fruit” here is not what one normally eats, as in 1:31; 8:19; 31:16, 31, but the consequences of one’s actions. In the second line the things that issue from one’s hands (one’s deeds) come back to one in recompense or punishment. Prv 13:2a and 18:20 are variants. Cf. Mt 7:17; Gal 6:8.
* [12:17] What is the rule of thumb for judging legal testimony? Look to the ordinary conduct and daily speech of a witness.
* [12:19] The saying has a double meaning: lies are quickly found out whereas truthful statements endure; truth-tellers, being favored by God, live long lives, whereas liars invite punishment.
* [12:23] “Knowledge” here is “what one knows, has in one’s heart,” not knowledge in general. Fools reveal all they have stored in their heart and it naturally turns out to be folly. Revealing and concealing are constant themes in Proverbs.
a. [12:1] Prv 15:5, 10; Sir 21:6.
b. [12:4] Prv 31:10; Sir 21:1, 16.
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