| Geneva Study Bible The wicked desireth the {e} net of evil men: but the {f} root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. (e) Continually imagines ways to harm others. (f) Meaning, their heart within, which is upright, and does good to all. Wesley's Notes 12:12 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. King James Translators' Notes the net: or, the fortress Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 12. the wicked . evil-They love the crafty arts of deception. the root . fruit-their own resources supply them; or, it may be rendered: "He (God) giveth, or, sets (Eze 17:22) the root of the righteous," and hence it is firm: or, the verb is impersonal; "As to the root . it is firm" (Pr 17:19). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 12:10. A godly man would not put even an animal to needless pain. But the wicked often speak of others as well used, when they would not endure like treatment for a single day. 11. It is men's wisdom to mind their business, and follow an honest calling. But it is folly to neglect business; and the grace of God teaches men to disdain nothing but sin. 12. When the ungodly see others prosper by sin, they wish they could act in the same way. But the root of Divine grace, in the heart of the righteous, produces other desires and purposes. 13. Many a man has paid dear in this world for the transgression of his lips. | 
