[12:5] 1 tn Heb “thoughts.” This term refers not just to random thoughts, however, but to what is planned or devised.
[12:5] 2 sn The plans of good people are directed toward what is right. Advice from the wicked, however, is deceitful and can only lead to trouble.
[12:10] 3 tn Heb “knows”; NLT “concerned for the welfare of.” The righteous take care of animals, not just people.
[12:10] 4 tn Heb “but the mercies.” The additional words appear in the translation for the sake of clarification. The line can be interpreted in two ways: (1) when the wicked exhibit a kind act, they do it in a cruel way, or (2) even the kindest of their acts is cruel by all assessments, e.g., stuffing animals with food to fatten them for market – their “kindness” is driven by ulterior motives (J. H. Greenstone, Proverbs, 129).
