Proverbs 12

1 He that loveth correction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is foolish.

Whoever is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoever is hating reproof [is] brutish.

2 He that is good, shall draw grace from the Lord: but he that trusteth in his own devices doth wickedly.

The good brings forth favor from YHWH, And the man of wicked schemes He condemns.

3 Men shall not be strengthened by wickedness: and the root of the just shall not be moved.

A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.

4 A diligent woman is a crown to her husband: and she that doth things worthy of confusion, is a rottenness in his bones.

A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.

5 The thoughts of the just are judgments: and the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

The thoughts of the righteous [are] justice, The counsels of the wicked—deceit.

6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood: the mouth of the just shall deliver them.

The words of the wicked [are]: “Lay [in] wait for blood,” And the mouth of the upright delivers them.

7 Turn the wicked, and they shall not be: but the house of the just shall stand firm.

Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous stands.

8 A man shall be known by his learning: but he that is vain and foolish, shall be exposed to contempt.

A man is praised according to his wisdom, And the perverted of heart becomes despised.

9 Better is the poor man that provideth for himself, than he that is glorious and wanteth bread.

Better [is] the lightly esteemed who has a servant, Than the self-honored who lacks bread.

10 The just regardeth the lives of his beasts: but the bowels of the wicked are cruel.

The righteous knows the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.

11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that pursueth idleness is very foolish. He that is delighted in passing his time over wine, leaveth a reproach in his strong holds.

Whoever is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,

12 The desire of the wicked is the fortification of evil men: but the root of the just shall prosper.

The wicked has desired the net of evildoers, And the root of the righteous gives.

13 For the sins of the lips ruin draweth nigh to the evil mall: but the just shall escape out of distress.

The snare of the wicked [is] in transgression of the lips, And the righteous goes out from distress.

14 By the fruit of his own mouth shall a man be filled with good things, and according to the works of his hands it shall be repaid him.

One [is] satisfied [with] good from the fruit of the mouth, And the deed of man’s hands returns to him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsels.

The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes, And whoever is listening to counsel [is] wise.

16 A fool immediately sheweth his anger: but he that dissembleth injuries is wise.

The fool—his anger is known in a day, And the prudent is covering shame.

17 He that speaketh that which he knoweth, sheweth forth justice: but he that lieth, is a deceitful witness.

Whoever utters faithfulness declares righteousness, And a false witness—deceit.

18 There is that promiseth, and is pricked as it were with a sword of conscience: but the tongue of the wise is health.

A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.

19 The lip of truth shall be steadfast for ever: but he that is a hasty witness, frameth a lying tongue.

The lip of truth is established forever, And a tongue of falsehood for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that think evil things: but joy followeth them that take counsels of peace.

Deceit [is] in the heart of those devising evil, But for counselors of peace—joy.

21 Whatsoever shall befall the just man. it shall not make him sad: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal faithfully please him.

Lying lips [are] an abomination to YHWH, And steadfast doers [are] his delight.

23 A cautious man concealeth knowledge: and the heart of fools publisheth folly.

A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaims folly.

24 The hand of the valiant shall bear rule: but that which is slothful, shall be under tribute.

The hand of the diligent rules, And slothfulness becomes tributary.

25 Grief in the heart of a man shall bring him low, but with a good word he shall be made glad.

Sorrow in the heart of a man bows down, And a good word makes him glad.

26 He that neglecteth a loss for the sake of a friend, is just: but the way of the wicked shall deceive them.

The righteous searches his companion, And the way of the wicked causes them to err.

27 The deceitful man shall not find gain: but the substance of a just man shall be precious gold.

The slothful does not roast his game, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.

28 In the path of justice is life: but the by-way leadeth to death.

In the path of righteousness [is] life, And in the way of [that] path [is] no death!