Proverbs 12
1 Whoso loveth discipline loveth knowledge, but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
If you love knowledge, you will love discipline. Anyone who hates being corrected is stupid!
2 A good [man] obtaineth favour of Jehovah; but a man of mischievous devices will he condemn.
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 woman of worth is a crown to her husband; but she that maketh 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 right; 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 are a lying-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 Overthrow the wicked, and they are no [more]; 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 is commended according to his wisdom; but he that is of a perverted heart shall be despised.
People are appreciated for talking sense, but those with perverted minds are despised.
9 Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
Better to be a humble man serving himself than a boastful man who has nothing to eat.
10 A righteous man is concerned for 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 that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless 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 The wicked desireth the net of evil [men]; but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].
Wicked people long for ill-gotten gains, but good people are productive themselves.
13 In the transgression of the lips is an evil snare; but a righteous [man] shall go forth out of trouble.
The wicked trap themselves by their own sinful words, but good people escape trouble.
14 A man is satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth; and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto 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 that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
Stupid people think they're on the right track, but if you're wise you listen to advice.
16 The vexation of the fool is presently known; but a prudent [man] covereth shame.
Stupid people get angry immediately, but if you're sensible you ignore an insult.
17 He that uttereth truth sheweth forth righteousness; but a false witness deceit.
Whoever tells the truth is being honest, but a false witness tells lies.
18 There is that babbleth 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 lip of truth shall be established for ever; 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 them that devise evil; but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
Deceit is in the mind of those planning evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
21 There shall no evil happen to a righteous [man]; but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
No harm comes to the good, but trouble fills the wicked.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; but they that deal truly are his delight.
The Lord hates liars but is happy with those who are trustworthy.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of the foolish proclaimeth folly.
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 [hand] shall be under tribute.
Hard work brings leadership, but laziness brings slavery.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad.
If you're anxious, you're weighed down, but an encouraging word will cheer you up.
26 The righteous guideth his neighbour; but the way of the wicked misleadeth them.
Good people look out for their friends, but the way the wicked live leads them astray.
27 The slothful roasteth not what he took in hunting; but man's precious substance is to the diligent.
Lazy people don't catch their prey, but if you work hard you can become rich.
28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
The path of right leads to life, it doesn't lead to death.
