Proverbs 12 · John Wesley
Recompensed - Punished for his sins.
Lie in wait - Are designed to entrap others, and to destroy them. Deliver them - From those that lie in wait for them.
Are not - Both they and their families suddenly perish.
Despised - That lives in a mean condition. Honoureth - That glories in his high birth or gay attire.
Regardeth - He will not destroy it either by labour beyond its strength, or by denying it necessary food or rest. Cruel - There is cruelty mixed even with their most merciful actions.
Tilleth - That employs his time in an honest calling. Vain persons - In an idle course of living.
Desireth - He approves those arts, which wicked men use like nets to ensnare other men. The root - That piety, which is the root of his actions, yields him sufficient fruit both for his own need, and to do good to others.
Mouth - By his pious and profitable discourses. Hands - Of his actions.
Hearkeneth - That distrusts his own judgments, and seeks counsel from others.
Covereth - The shame, or injury done to him, which he conceals and bears with patience.
Deceit - He who uses himself to lying in his common talk, will use falsehood and deceit in judgment.
Health - Tends to the comfort and benefit of others.
A moment - Liars, though they may make a fair shew for a season, yet are quickly convicted.
Deceit - They whose hearts devise mischief shall be deceived in their hopes, and bring trouble upon themselves: but they who by good counsels labour to promote peace, shall reap the comfort of it themselves.
Concealeth - He does not unseasonably utter what he knows. Foolishness - Betrays his ignorance and folly.
A good word - A compassionate or encouraging word.
Neighbour - Than any other men. Seduceth - Heb. maketh them to err, to lose that excellency or happiness which they had promised themselves.
Resteth not - Does not enjoy the fruit of his labours. Precious - Yields him comfort and blessing with it.