Proverbs 12:12

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

The interpretations of this proverb are various. There is actually a double contrast in this proverb. The net of evil men is contrasted with the root of the righteous and the desire of the wicked is contrasted with the yield of the righteous. The net of evil men is the plans and means of evil men to capture, or make a quick gain. The root is something that must be planted in the ground, fed, and kept. It grows and over time yields a produce. One seeks a big gain all at once through some ill stratagem and the other sees ahead and patiently waits for the honest gain of borne fruit. The word for desireth means to delight in or take pleasure in. The wicked’s desire is to grasp and get by whatever means, and the quicker the better. The word for yieldeth means to give. The wisdom of the righteous teaches them to desire to bless others and not only seek their own gain.

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