What does the chapter actually say?
Identify the explicit claims before importing later doctrine or assumptions.
PROVERBS • CHAPTER 12
Proverbs 12
Practical wisdom, speech, work, money, sexuality, family, justice, self-control, leadership, and fear of Yahweh.
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Proverbs 12
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1
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.
but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2
A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh,
but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.
but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.
3
A man shall not be established by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4
A worthy woman is the crown of her husband,
but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.
but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.
5
The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6
The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.
but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7
The wicked are overthrown, and are no more,
but the house of the righteous shall stand.
but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom,
but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
9
Better is he who is little known, and has a servant,
than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
10
A righteous man respects the life of his animal,
but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11
He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread,
but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
12
The wicked desires the plunder of evil men,
but the root of the righteous flourishes.
but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13
An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips,
but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
14
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth.
The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.
The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.
15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but he who is wise listens to counsel.
but he who is wise listens to counsel.
16
A fool shows his annoyance the same day,
but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
17
He who is truthful testifies honestly,
but a false witness lies.
but a false witness lies.
18
There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword,
but the tongue of the wise heals.
but the tongue of the wise heals.
19
Truth’s lips will be established forever,
but a lying tongue is only momentary.
but a lying tongue is only momentary.
20
Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil,
but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
21
No mischief shall happen to the righteous,
but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22
Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh,
but those who do the truth are his delight.
but those who do the truth are his delight.
23
A prudent man keeps his knowledge,
but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
24
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule,
but laziness ends in slave labor.
but laziness ends in slave labor.
25
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
but a kind word makes it glad.
but a kind word makes it glad.
26
A righteous person is cautious in friendship,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27
The slothful man doesn’t roast his game,
but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
28
In the way of righteousness is life;
in its path there is no death.
in its path there is no death.
WISDOM
Where this chapter fits
Proverbs belongs to Israel's wisdom/poetic tradition, where literary form matters as much as historical setting.
Chapter numbers were added long after the biblical books were written.
Read this chapter together with what comes immediately before and after it.
ANCIENT TEXT, MODERN QUESTIONS
Historical claims should be compared with historical evidence.
Scientific claims should be compared with science.
Moral claims should be examined morally.
Theological claims require theological and philosophical argument.
QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING
Don't skip the hard parts.
What kind of literature is this?
Narrative, poetry, prophecy, law, letters, wisdom, and apocalypse communicate differently.
What historical evidence matters?
Ask whether names, places, institutions, events, customs, and chronology can be independently investigated.
What are the strongest competing interpretations?
Compare serious Jewish, Christian, academic, and skeptical readings rather than caricatures.
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