1
Pr 12:1-28.
3
無題
3. Wickedness cannot give permanent prosperity.
root . . . not be moved--firm as a flourishing tree--
(Ps 1:3; 15:5; Jer 17:8).
4
無題
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
無題
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
無題
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
無題
7. Such conduct brings a proper return, by the destruction of the wicked and well-being of the righteous and his family.
8
無題
8. despised--as opposed to commended
(Pr 11:12).
perverse heart--or, "wicked principles," as opposed to one of wisdom.
9
無題
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
無題
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
無題
11. The idler's fate is the result of indolence and want of principle
(Pr 6:32; 7:7).
12
無題
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
無題
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
無題
15. The way . . . eyes--The fool is self-conceited (compare
Pr 12:1; 1:32; 10:17; Jas 3:17).
16
無題
16. prudent . . . shame--He is slow to denounce his insulters
(Jas 1:19).
18
無題
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
無題
19. Words of truth are consistent, and stand all tests, while lies are soon discovered and exposed.
20
無題
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
無題
21. no evil--(as in
Ps 91:10),
under God's wise limitations
(Ro 8:28).
mischief--as penal evil.
22
無題
22. deal truly--or, "faithfully," that is, according to promises (compare
Joh 3:21).
23
無題
23. concealeth--by his modesty
(Pr 10:14; 11:13).
heart . . . proclaimeth--as his lips speak his thoughts (compare
Ec 10:3).
24
無題
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
無題
25. a good word--one of comfort.
26
無題
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
無題
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
無題
28. (Compare
Pr 8:8, 20,
&c.). A sentiment often stated; here first affirmatively, then negatively.
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).