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Summary

Proverbs 12:1–7 – Teachability, Integrity, and Stability

What happens: Loving discipline brings knowledge; hating correction is foolish. Good people gain God’s favor, while schemers are condemned. Wickedness cannot establish a life, but the righteous have deep roots. An excellent wife is a crown; disgrace rots the bones. The plans and words of the righteous aim at justice; the wicked plot harm. The wicked are overthrown and vanish; the house of the righteous stands.

What it means: God honors humble learners and opposes proud resisters. Integrity builds durable foundations because it aligns with God’s order. Family and marriage thrive under wisdom and truth. God’s justice protects the upright and defeats schemes.

Proverbs 12:8–14 – Work, Prudence, and the Fruit of Words

What happens: People praise a wise person but despise the twisted. Better humble status with provision than pretended greatness with hunger. The righteous care for animals; the wicked are cruel. Diligent work brings plenty, while chasing fantasies lacks sense. By sinful speech people are trapped, but wise words bring escape and satisfaction.

What it means: God values quiet faithfulness over empty image. Compassion reflects His mercy in how we treat all creatures. Stewardship and effort honor the Lord’s design. Words reap consequences because God made a moral world.

Proverbs 12:15–22 – Listening, Peacemaking, and Truth

What happens: Fools trust themselves; the wise receive advice. The prudent overlook insults, while rash words cut like swords. The tongue of the wise brings healing, and truthful lips endure. Deceit fills hearts that plan evil; peace-planners have joy. Lying lips are an abomination, but the faithful delight the Lord.

What it means: Godly wisdom listens and calms conflict because God loves peace. Truth reflects God’s character and heals. Pride fuels strife, but humility makes space for counsel. God stands with faithful speech and exposes lies.

Proverbs 12:23–28 – Diligence, Anxiety, and the Path of Life

What happens: The prudent hide knowledge; fools broadcast folly. Diligent hands rule; laziness leads to forced labor. Anxiety weighs a heart down, but a good word makes it glad. The righteous guide neighbors wisely. The slothful fail to finish, while the diligent gain precious wealth. In righteousness there is life, and its path avoids death.

What it means: God calls for steady, quiet wisdom rather than showy talk. Work done well serves others and brings stability. Encouragement reflects God’s kindness to the weary. Walking in righteousness aligns with God’s life-giving way.

Application

  • Welcome correction and seek counsel; resist self-trust.
  • Work diligently and finish tasks; avoid fantasy pursuits.
  • Speak truth that heals and lifts anxious hearts.

Bible

1Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

2A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

3A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

5The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

6The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

12The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

14A 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.

15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

16A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

17He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

19The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

21There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

22Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

23A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

25Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

28In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

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