Proverbs 12
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
If you love knowledge, you will love discipline. Anyone who hates being corrected is stupid!
2 The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.
The Lord blesses the good, but he condemns anyone with evil schemes.
3 A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
Wickedness doesn't provide security, but those who live right are deeply rooted and cannot be moved.
4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay 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 plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to 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 speech of the upright rescues them.
The words of the wicked are like a violent ambush, but those of honest people save them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.
The wicked are destroyed, and they're gone, but the family of the good stands firm.
8 A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.
People are appreciated for talking sense, but those with perverted minds are despised.
9 Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.
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 animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
Good people look after their animals, but the care given by wicked is really cruelty.
11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase after worthless things you're stupid.
12 The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
Wicked people long for ill-gotten gains, but good people are productive themselves.
13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
The wicked trap themselves by their own sinful words, but good people escape trouble.
14 By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns 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 a wise man listens to counsel.
Stupid people think they're on the right track, but if you're wise you listen to advice.
16 A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Stupid people get angry immediately, but if you're sensible you ignore an insult.
17 He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
Whoever tells the truth is being honest, but a false witness tells lies.
18 Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Some people's hasty words cut like a knife, but the words of the wise bring healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Words of truth last forever, but lies are gone in a moment.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.
Deceit is in the mind of those planning evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
No harm comes to the good, but trouble fills the wicked.
22 Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.
The Lord hates liars but is happy with those who are trustworthy.
23 A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
If you're sensible, you don't show off your knowledge, but stupid people announce their stupidity.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
Hard work brings leadership, but laziness brings slavery.
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
If you're anxious, you're weighed down, but an encouraging word will cheer you up.
26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.
Good people look out for their friends, but the way the wicked live leads them astray.
27 A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.
Lazy people don't catch their prey, but if you work hard you can become rich.
28 There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.
The path of right leads to life, it doesn't lead to death.
