Summary: Righteous treat their animals kinder than the wicked treat their friends. Work hard and work smart and be rewarded with abundance of money. The wicked covets the ill-gotten wealth of another wicked person. The righteous will earn income with stability. Careless talk gets the wicked into trouble. Do not over-react when angry. Honest witness vs false witness. Tongue can be hurtful like sword, or healing.
10 10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. (NIV)
10 10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. (NKJV)
Kindest action of the wicked are cruel in comparison to the least kind action of the righteous. The righteous treat their animals more kindly than the wicked treat their friends. This is a matter of heart. For the wicked tends to have a wicked heart, having ill intentions. Example: desire to backstab and slander someone in order to "kill" off that someone. Example: to lie and discredit someone in order to climb the corporate ladder and get promoted. Example: desire to deceive and cheat in order to gain extra profit and much money.
A righteous man is not only merciful for his neighbours (friends and relatives), but also to his pet animals and farm animals. This tells the degree of kindness in the heart of a righteous person.
11 11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits has no sense. (RSV)
11 11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense. (NIV)
11 11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.[b] (NKJV)
The person who is diligent in his work and business will be rewarded with much money. Work hard and work smart are important principle of wise living. We must be reminded not to do worthless work/activities which is unwise. Examples: trying to get rich by unsuitable manners, such as lottery, gambling, share speculation. Other examples are wasting of time and energy in sinful interests, for instance, extra-marital affairs, drinking in pubs for hours, karaoke for hours at night.
Those who are devoid of understanding waste time by fooling around with friends, drinking, gambling, playing women, partying, clubbing, etc. Excessive "wine, women and song" is not beneficial. It is noted that we should strike a balance: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."
Despite the fact that we need to work diligently, we also need spare some time for relaxing activities (which are healthy and not sinful). Balance is crucial.
12 12 The strong tower of the wicked comes to ruin,
but the root of the righteous stands firm.[a]
13 13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
but the righteous escapes from trouble. (RSV)
12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous endures.
but the root of the righteous endures.
13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,
and so the innocent escape trouble. (NIV)
and so the innocent escape trouble. (NIV)
12 12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will come through trouble. (NKJV)
The wicked person desires the wealth and power of another wicked person. We must not be like that. We must not covet the wealth and riches gained through improper means (e.g. deceitful schemes, lies, cheating, unfair business practice). We must not covet the power and honour of the wicked person (e.g. triad chief, gangster, loan shark, brothel boss).
By being righteous in our work, we will be rewarded monetarily. We can be earning stable income doing righteous work.
The bad guys get into trouble with their careless talk, e.g. slanders and gossips. Avoid slandering and gossiping. Avoid chatter that stir up conflicts, arguments and quarrels. Avoid talk that sow discord and disunity. The righteous through their good speech will be at peace with other people. Even when he is in trouble with his angry customer, for instance, the righteous will be smart with his lips to mitigate the situation and calm the customer.
14 14 From the fruit of his words a man is satisfied with good,
and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him. (RSV)
14 14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,
and the work of their hands brings them reward. (NIV)
Our speech and work produce us rewards - money and riches. Good speech will bring us many good things: friendship, respect, honour, favour. Encourage others is a fine example of good speech. Praising others for work well done is another example of good speech.
15 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice. (RSV)
15 15 The way of fools seems right to them,
but the wise listen to advice. (NIV)
15 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise. (NKJV)
The foolish person looks at things from his own viewpoint only. The foolish person thinks that he is always right. But the wise person is one who listens to counsel and advice of other people. The wise person looks at things from multiple points of view.
16 16 The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent man ignores an insult. (RSV)
16 16 Fools show their annoyance at once,
but the prudent overlook an insult. (NIV)
16 16 A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame. (NKJV)
When a foolish person becomes angry, he allows his anger to take control of himself. The foolish person overreacts when angry. Do some foolish action which he would later regret.
The wise person may also angry, but is more prudent and able to control his anger. He will try to keep calm when angry, avoiding hasty reactions. He will decide on the action after he has calmed down from anger. Because actions/decisions during anger may later be regretted.
17 17 He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness utters deceit. (RSV)
17 17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a false witness tells lies. (NIV)
We should speak truth. We should not be false witness, lying with deceitful intent. Related to false witness, is slandering and backstabbing. All these are output from lips of the wicked. We must be careful so NOT to become a false witness.
18 18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (RSV)
18 18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (NIV)
Tongue is very powerful. A slandering tongue can hurt other people like a sword. A tongue sowing discord and disunity can severe the bonds of friendship like a sword. On the contrary, a tongue of encouragement/exhortation can heal a depressed person and make him more optimistic. A tongue of apology can heal many hurts and painful memories.
As righteous believers, we must be careful with our speech. Let our speech be of the beneficial type, one that builds and not destroys, one that encourages and not despises.
Thursday, Jan 23, 2014.
Michael Yeap.
NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2012&version=NIV
RSV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2012&version=RSV
NKJV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2012&version=NKJV
Commentaries:
10) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.10
11) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.11
12) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.12
13) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.13
14) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.14
15) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.15
16) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.16
17) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.17
18) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.18
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