In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death. Proverbs 12:28
The Pathway of Righteousness
12:1 A wise person knows that discipline and instruction will bring its own reward. A man who hates correction is like an animal. Animals, controlled by instinct, are unable to learn from criticism. The person who gets angry when corrected rather than taking the criticism to heart has as little chance to make moral progress as a dumb animal.
1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.
12:2 He will condemn: John’s Gospel speaks of one being condemned already because of evil deeds, and deliberately clinging to the darkness even though the light has come (John 3:16-21).
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:16-21
12:3 Contrasts such as the one in this proverb speak of a person’s ultimate end; otherwise they would be proven false by countless examples of wicked persons who flourish while the righteous suffer. In the end, the righteous will stand sure, as in the image of the tree in Ps. 1:3.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
12:5, 6 Our thoughts do matter. At the very least, they must not be deceitful. A person’s thoughts determine what he or she says and does. The words of wicked persons are like a deadly ambush.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
12:9 A better… than proverb, this verse contrasts a person who is a “nobody” but has a servant with a person who makes a great display but does not even have food on the table. Pretension and arrogance destroy those who indulge in them.
9 Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
12:12, 13 yields fruit… is ensnared: Wickedness hurts the wicked; righteousness helps the righteous. This is another way of saying “whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). The expression the root of the righteous also appears in v. 3.
12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. 13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.
12:16 at once: Careless words can make a fool out of us, so we are wise to think before we speak. King David showed such restraint (see 2 Sam. 16:5-12).
16 A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame.
12:22, 23 An abomination is something that “nauseates” God. The term conveys extreme hatred. Thus it is better to remain silent than to have lying lips.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. 23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
12:18:19 Many proverbs praise people who speak carefully and truthfully. Speech reflects a person’s character. The words of a righteous person are faithful and true, and soothe the listener.
18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. 19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
12:26 Our friends help to determine who we will become (see 1 Cor. 15:33).
26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
12:27 Lazy people do work, they just don’t finish what they start. The cure for their laziness is diligence – to follow through to the end.
27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.
** Instructions and knowledge are so important. Before doing any type of work, we need to know how to do it. We need a manual. The Bible is such a manual, the Holy Spirit, our teacher. We have everything we need to learn how to live. If we mess up, we can start again at any moment, on any day in our life. We have the book and the teacher with us. Along with them, we are going somewhere wonderful, beyond our imagination.
12 1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
9 Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.
14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
16 A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame.
17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.
21 No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.
28 In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.
