Proverbs 12
1 Whoso loveth discipline loveth knowledge, but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good [man] obtaineth favour of Jehovah; but a man of mischievous devices will he condemn.
Yahweh gives favor to a good man, but he condemns a man who makes evil plans.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness; but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
A person cannot be established by wickedness, but righteous people cannot be uprooted.
4 A woman of worth is a crown to her husband; but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
A worthy wife is her husband's crown, but she who brings shame is like a disease that rots his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right; the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
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 wicked people are an ambush waiting for a chance to kill, but the words of the upright keep them safe.
7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are no [more]; but the house of the righteous shall stand.
Wicked people are overthrown and they are gone, but the house of the righteous person will stand.
8 A man is commended according to his wisdom; but he that is of a perverted heart shall be despised.
A person is praised by how much wisdom he has, but the one who makes perverse choices is despised.
9 Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
Better to have an unimportant position—only being a servant— than to brag about your importance but have no food.
10 A righteous man is concerned for the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
The righteous person cares about the needs of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless is void of understanding.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases after worthless projects has no sense.
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil [men]; but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].
The wicked person desires what evil men have stolen from others, but the fruit of righteous people comes from themselves.
13 In the transgression of the lips is an evil snare; but a righteous [man] shall go forth out of trouble.
An evil person is trapped by his wicked talk, but the righteous person escapes from 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.
From the fruit of his words a person is filled with good things, just as the work of his hands rewards him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
16 The vexation of the fool is presently known; but a prudent [man] covereth shame.
A fool shows his anger at once, but one who ignores an insult is prudent.
17 He that uttereth truth sheweth forth righteousness; but a false witness deceit.
The one who speaks the truth says what is right, 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.
The words of one who speaks rashly are like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Truthful lips last forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
There is deceit in the hearts of those who plan to do evil, but joy comes to the advisors of peace.
21 There shall no evil happen to a righteous [man]; but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
No ill comes on the righteous person, but wicked people are filled with difficulties.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; but they that deal truly are his delight.
Yahweh hates lying lips, but those who live faithfully are his delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of the foolish proclaimeth folly.
A prudent man conceals his knowledge, but the heart of fools shouts out folly.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful [hand] shall be under tribute.
The hand of the diligent will rule, but lazy people will be put to forced labor.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad.
Anxiety in the heart of a person weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
26 The righteous guideth his neighbour; but the way of the wicked misleadeth them.
The righteous person is a guide for his friend, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The slothful roasteth not what he took in hunting; but man's precious substance is to the diligent.
Lazy people would not roast their own game, but the diligent man will obtain precious wealth.
28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
Those who walk in the right way find life and in its path there is no death.
