< Proverbs 12 >
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. But whoever hates correction is unwise.
He that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates reproofs is a fool.
2 Whoever is good shall draw grace from the Lord. But whoever trusts in his own thoughts acts impiously.
He that has found favor with the Lord [is made] better; but a transgressor shall be passed over in silence.
3 Man will not be made strong from impiety. And the root of the just shall not be moved.
A man shall not prosper by wickedness; but the roots of the righteous shall not be taken up.
4 A diligent woman is a crown to her husband. And she who acts with confusion as to which things are worthy is decay to his bones.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.
5 The thoughts of the just are judgments. And the counsels of the impious are dishonest.
The thoughts of the righteous [are true] judgments; but ungodly men devise deceits.
6 The words of the impious lie in wait for blood. The mouth of the just shall free them.
The words of ungodly men are crafty; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 Turn from the impious, and they will not be. But the house of the just shall stand firm.
When the ungodly is overthrown, he vanishes away; but the houses of the just remain.
8 A man will be known by his doctrine. But whoever is vain and heartless will suffer contempt.
The mouth of an understanding [man] is praised by a man; but he that is dull of heart is had in derision.
9 Better is a pauper who has what he needs, than someone glorious and in need of bread.
Better is a man in dishonor serving himself, than one honouring himself and lacking bread.
10 The just one knows the lives of his beasts. But the inner most parts of the impious are cruel.
A righteous man has pity for the lives of his cattle; but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful.
11 Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever continually pursues leisure is most foolish. Whoever is soothed by lingering over wine leaves behind contempt in his strongholds.
He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread; but they that pursue vanities are void of understanding. He that enjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall leave dishonor in his own strong holds.
12 The desire of the impious is the fortification of what is most wicked. But the root of the just shall prosper.
The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the roots of the godly are firmly set.
13 For the sins of the lips draw ruin to the evil. But the just shall escape from distress.
For the sin of [his] lips a sinner falls into snare; but a righteous man escapes from them. He whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, but he that contends in the gates will afflict souls.
14 By the fruit of his own mouth, each one shall be filled with good things, and according to the works of his own hands, it will be distributed to him.
The soul of a man shall be filled with good from the fruits of his mouth; and the recompence of his lips shall be given to him.
15 The way of the foolish is right in his own eyes. But whoever is wise listens to counsels.
The ways of fools are right in their own eyes; but a wise man hearkens to counsels.
16 The senseless immediately reveals his anger. But whoever ignores injuries is clever.
A fool declares his wrath the same day; but a prudent man hides his own disgrace.
17 He is a sign of justice, who speaks what he knows. But whoever deceives is a dishonest witness.
A righteous man declares the open truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.
18 He who makes promises is also jabbed, as if with a sword, in conscience. But the tongue of the wise is reasonable.
Some wound as they speak, [like] swords; but the tongues of the wise heal.
19 The lips of truth shall be steadfast forever. But a hasty witness readies a lying tongue.
True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evils. But gladness follows those who take up counsels of peace.
[There is] deceit in the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that love peace shall rejoice.
21 Whatever may befall the just, it will not discourage him. But the impious will be filled with disasters.
No injustice will please a just man; but the ungodly will be filled with mischief.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. But whoever acts faithfully pleases him.
Lying lips are a abomination to the Lord; but he that deals faithfully is accepted with him.
23 A resourceful man conceals knowledge. And the heart of the unwise provokes foolishness.
An understanding man is a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.
24 The hand of the strong will rule. But anyone who is neglectful will pay tribute.
The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule; but the deceitful shall be for a prey.
25 Grief in the heart of a man humbles him. And with a good word he shall be made glad.
A terrible word troubles the heart of a righteous man; but a good message rejoices him.
26 He who ignores a loss for the sake of a friend is just. But the way of the impious will deceive them.
A just arbitrator shall be his own friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray.
27 The dishonest will not discover gain. But the substance of a man will be like precious gold.
A deceitful man shall catch no game; but a blameless man is a precious possession.
28 In the path of justice, there is life. But the devious way leads to death.
In the ways of righteousness is life; but the ways of those that remember injuries [lead] to death.