Wesley's Notes on the Bible Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. 12:6 Lie in wait - Are designed to entrap others, and to destroy them. Deliver them - From those that lie in wait for them.
The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. 12:7 Are not - Both they and their families suddenly perish.
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. 12:9 Despised - That lives in a mean condition. Honoureth - That glories in his high birth or gay attire.
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 12:10 Regardeth - He will not destroy it either by labour beyond its strength, or by denying it necessary food or rest. Cruel - There is cruelty mixed even with their most merciful actions.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. 12:11 Tilleth - That employs his time in an honest calling. Vain persons - In an idle course of living.
The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. 12:12 Desireth - He approves those arts, which wicked men use like nets to ensnare other men. The root - That piety, which is the root of his actions, yields him sufficient fruit both for his own need, and to do good to others.
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. 12:14 Mouth - By his pious and profitable discourses. Hands - Of his actions.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. 12:15 Hearkeneth - That distrusts his own judgments, and seeks counsel from others.
A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. 12:16 Covereth - The shame, or injury done to him, which he conceals and bears with patience.
He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. 12:17 Deceit - He who uses himself to lying in his common talk, will use falsehood and deceit in judgment.
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 12:18 Health - Tends 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. 12:19 A moment - Liars, though they may make a fair shew for a season, yet are quickly convicted.
Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy. 12:20 Deceit - They whose hearts devise mischief shall be deceived in their hopes, and bring trouble upon themselves: but they who by good counsels labour to promote peace, shall reap the comfort of it themselves.
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. 12:23 Concealeth - He does not unseasonably utter what he knows. Foolishness - Betrays his ignorance and folly.
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. 12:25 A good word - A compassionate or encouraging word.
The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. 12:26 Neighbour - Than any other men. Seduceth - Heb. maketh them to err, to lose that excellency or happiness which they had promised themselves.
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. 12:27 Resteth not - Does not enjoy the fruit of his labours. Precious - Yields him comfort and blessing with it.
In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65] Bible Hub |
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