Proverbs 12
1 He who loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is brutish.
If you love knowledge, you will love discipline. Anyone who hates being corrected is stupid!
2 A good man shall obtain favor of Jehovah, but he will condemn a man of wicked devices.
The Lord blesses the good, but he condemns anyone with evil schemes.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
Wickedness doesn't provide security, but those who live right are deeply rooted and cannot be moved.
4 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but she who makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
A good wife is a crown for her husband, but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just. The counsels of the wicked are deceit.
Good people make plans that are fair, but the advice of the wicked is deceptive.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
The words of the wicked are like a violent ambush, but those of honest people save them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not, but the house of the righteous shall stand.
The wicked are destroyed, and they're gone, but the family of the good stands firm.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
People are appreciated for talking sense, but those with perverted minds are despised.
9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
Better to be a humble man serving himself than a boastful man who has nothing to eat.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Good people look after their animals, but the care given by wicked is really cruelty.
11 He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who pursues vanities is void of understanding.
If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase after worthless things you're stupid.
12 A wicked man desires the net of evil men, but the root of the righteous gives.
Wicked people long for ill-gotten gains, but good people are productive themselves.
13 A wicked man is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
The wicked trap themselves by their own sinful words, but good people escape trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the actions of a man's hands shall be rendered to him.
What you say brings you rewards, and your work returns to bless you.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise hearkens to counsel.
Stupid people think they're on the right track, but if you're wise you listen to advice.
16 A fool's vexation is instantly known, but a prudent man conceals shame.
Stupid people get angry immediately, but if you're sensible you ignore an insult.
17 He who utters truth shows forth righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.
Whoever tells the truth is being honest, but a false witness tells lies.
18 There is he who speaks rashly like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is health.
Some people's hasty words cut like a knife, but the words of the wise bring healing.
19 The lips of truth shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Words of truth last forever, but lies are gone in a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but joy is to the counselors of peace.
Deceit is in the mind of those planning evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
21 There shall no mischief happen to a righteous man, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
No harm comes to the good, but trouble fills the wicked.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah, but those who deal truly are his delight.
The Lord hates liars but is happy with those who are trustworthy.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
If you're sensible, you don't show off your knowledge, but stupid people announce their stupidity.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, but the slothful shall be put under task work.
Hard work brings leadership, but laziness brings slavery.
25 Heaviness in the heart of a man makes it droop, but a good word makes it glad.
If you're anxious, you're weighed down, but an encouraging word will cheer you up.
26 A righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked causes them to err.
Good people look out for their friends, but the way the wicked live leads them astray.
27 The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting, but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
Lazy people don't catch their prey, but if you work hard you can become rich.
28 Life is in the way of righteousness, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
The path of right leads to life, it doesn't lead to death.
