Proverbs 12
1 He that loveth correction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is foolish.
Those who want to know [what is right to do] want to be (disciplined/corrected) when they do what is wrong; it is foolish to not want to be (corrected/told that what you did is wrong).
2 He that is good, shall draw grace from the Lord: but he that trusteth in his own devices doth wickedly.
Yahweh is pleased with good people, but he condemns those who plan to harm [others].
3 Men shall not be strengthened by wickedness: and the root of the just shall not be moved.
People do not become secure/safe by doing what is wicked; righteous [people] will be very safe and secure [LIT] like [MET] a tree that has deep roots.
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 good wife is one who causes her husband to be greatly honored, but a wife who does things that cause her husband to be ashamed [will destroy him] like [SIM] cancer [destroys] his bones.
5 The thoughts of the just are judgments: and the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
What righteous [people] want to do is [to treat people] fairly; what wicked [people] want to do is to deceive people.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood: the mouth of the just shall deliver them.
What wicked [people] say is like a trap [MET] that kills [MTY] people [who pass by], but what righteous [people] say [MTY] rescues those whom [wicked people threaten to harm].
7 Turn the wicked, and they shall not be: but the house of the just shall stand firm.
Wicked [people] will die [before they become old and we will see] them no more, but righteous people will live [for many years] and have many descendants.
8 A man shall be known by his learning: but he that is vain and foolish, shall be exposed to contempt.
[People will] praise those who have good sense, but [people will] despise those (who are always thinking about doing evil things/whose thinking is twisted).
9 Better is the poor man that provideth for himself, than he that is glorious and wanteth bread.
It is better to be a humble/ordinary person who has only one servant than to think that you are very important while you have nothing to eat.
10 The just regardeth the lives of his beasts: but the bowels of the wicked are cruel.
Righteous people take care of their domestic animals, but wicked people act cruelly [toward their animals].
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.
Farmers who work hard in their fields will [produce good crops] that will give them plenty to eat, but those who waste their time working on worthless projects are foolish.
12 The desire of the wicked is the fortification of evil men: but the root of the just shall prosper.
Wicked [people] desire to take away what [other] evil people have, but [Yahweh] enables righteous/godly [people] to be steadfast and productive [MET].
13 For the sins of the lips ruin draweth nigh to the evil mall: but the just shall escape out of distress.
Evil people are trapped by the evil things that they say [MTY], but righteous [people] escape from trouble.
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.
People are rewarded for [the good things] that they say [to others], and people are [also] rewarded for the good work that they do [MTY].
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsels.
Foolish people [always] think that what they are doing is right; wise people heed [other people when they give them good] advice.
16 A fool immediately sheweth his anger: but he that dissembleth injuries is wise.
Foolish people quickly become angry when someone does something that they don’t like; but those who have good sense ignore it when others insult them.
17 He that speaketh that which he knoweth, sheweth forth justice: but he that lieth, is a deceitful witness.
[In the courtroom], honest people say what is true, but untruthful/dishonest people tell [nothing but] lies.
18 There is that promiseth, and is pricked as it were with a sword of conscience: but the tongue of the wise is health.
What some people say [hurts people badly], as much as [SIM] a sword can; but what wise [people] say (heals [others’ souls]/comforts others).
19 The lip of truth shall be steadfast for ever: but he that is a hasty witness, frameth a lying tongue.
When people tell [MTY] lies, others soon realize that what they said is not true [IDM]; but when people say what is true, others will remember that forever.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that think evil things: but joy followeth them that take counsels of peace.
Those who plan to do what is evil are always wanting to deceive [others], but things will go well for those who plan [to do] good things.
21 Whatsoever shall befall the just man. it shall not make him sad: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
Bad things [usually] [HYP] do not happen to righteous [people], but wicked [people] always have troubles.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal faithfully please him.
Yahweh detests those [MTY] who tell lies, but he is delighted with those who faithfully do what they promise that they will do.
23 A cautious man concealeth knowledge: and the heart of fools publisheth folly.
Those with good sense do not reveal [all] that they know; foolish people show [clearly] by what they say that they (are ignorant/have not learned much).
24 The hand of the valiant shall bear rule: but that which is slothful, shall be under tribute.
Those [SYN] who work hard become rulers [of others]; those who are lazy become slaves [of others.]
25 Grief in the heart of a man shall bring him low, but with a good word he shall be made glad.
When people are anxious/worried, they become depressed/dejected, but when others speak kindly to them, it causes them to be cheerful again.
26 He that neglecteth a loss for the sake of a friend, is just: but the way of the wicked shall deceive them.
Godly/Righteous people try to [give good advice to] their friends (OR, try to make friends with others), but the manner in which wicked [people] live misleads their friends.
27 The deceitful man shall not find gain: but the substance of a just man shall be precious gold.
Lazy people do not even [cook the meat of] the animals that they catch/kill, but those who work hard will acquire (OR, are like) a valuable treasure.
28 In the path of justice is life: but the by-way leadeth to death.
Those who (live righteously/continually do what is right) are [walking] on the road to a long life; (it is not a road to death/they will not die when they are still young).
