v. 5. The thoughts of the righteous are right, just and pious, leading to words and deeds which are also righteous; but the counsels of the wicked are deceit, the manner in which they influence and direct others is deceitful and is bound to work harm. read more
v. 6. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood, they intend malice and violence, their thoughts find expression in bloodthirsty and murderous ways; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them, namely, those whose life is threatened by the wicked with their murderous designs. read more
v. 7. The wicked are overthrown and are not, they come to an end like the ungodly inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah; but the house of the righteous shall stand, sustained in the midst of all storms by the power of Jehovah. read more
v. 8. A man shall be commended according to (literally, "in the presence of") his wisdom, in proportion to the insight he shows in all matters of life; but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised, his crooked and malicious dealings meeting with the contempt and condemnation which they deserve. read more
v. 9. He that is despised and hath a servant is better, rather, "Better is the lowly that serveth himself," being of small means and not too proud to be found engaged in performing the work of a servant about the house, than he that honoreth himself and lacketh bread, his pride of birth or caste keeping him from honest work. read more
v. 10. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast, taking proper care of his domestic animals; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel, they are utterly devoid of sympathy and compassion. read more
β) With reference to domestic, civil and public avocationsProverbs 12:01 He that loveth correction loveth knowledge;but whosoever hateth rebuke is brutish.2 The good man obtaineth favor from Jehovah;but the man of wicked devices doth he condemn.3 A man shall not be established by wickedness;but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.4 A good wife is the crown of her husband,but one that causeth shame is as rottenness in his bones.5 The thoughts of the righteous... read more
Proverbs THE MANY-SIDED CONTRAST OF WISDOM AND FOLLY Pro_12:1 - Pro_12:15 . The verses of the present passage are a specimen of the main body of the Book of Proverbs. They are not a building, but a heap. The stones seldom have any mortar between them, and connection or progress is for the most part sought in vain. But one great antithesis runs through the whole-the contrast of wisdom or righteousness with folly or wickedness. The compiler or author is never weary of setting out that... read more
Verse Proverbs 12:9. That is to say, it matters little that one is not counted as of any importance by his neighbors if, nevertheless, he is able to keep a servant, that is, to employ someone to minister to his need. That man is in a far worse case who honors himself, that is, keeps up an appearance out of pride, while, nevertheless, he lacks bread. Verse Proverbs 12:12. The contrast here is between the feverish desire for the speculative method of obtaining, symbolized by hunting, with the... read more
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The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Proverbs 12:4
v. 4. A virtuous woman, a wife of moral power and probity, as shown in her pious activity in the home, is a crown to her husband, an emblem of honor and glory before the whole world; but she that maketh ashamed, causing him shame by her misconduct, is as rottenness in his bones, like a gnawing worm, a canker slowly undermining and destroying. read more