Proverbs 12
1 Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
2 The good obtaineth favor of the Lord; but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.
3 A man cannot be firmly established by wickedness; but the root of the righteous will not be moved.
A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but as rottenness in his bones is one that bringeth shame [on him].
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are justice: the best counsels of the wicked are deceit.
The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood; but the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 The wicked are suddenly overthrown, and are no more; but the house of the righteous will endure.
The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 In accordance with his intelligence is a man praised; but he that is perverse of heart will come to be despised.
A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.
9 Better is he that is lightly esteemed who hath a servant, than he that aimeth after honor, and lacketh bread.
Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.
10 A righteous man careth for the life of his beast; but the mercies of the wicked are cruelty.
A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
11 He that tilleth his ground will be satisfied with bread; but he that runneth after idle persons is void of sense.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
12 The wicked is covetous for the net of evil men; but [God] giveth root to the righteous.
The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13 In the transgression of his lips is the snare of the wicked; but the righteous cometh out of distress.
An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth will a man be satisfied with what is good; and the recompense of a man's hands will be brought back unto him.
By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him.
15 The way of a fool is straight in his own eyes; but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.
16 The wrath of the fool is known on the very day; but he that concealeth the disgrace is prudent.
A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
17 He that uttereth truth announceth righteousness; but a false witness, deceit.
He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
18 There is some one that useth words [which are] like the thrusts of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is healing.
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 The lip of truth will stand firm for ever; but only for a moment the tongue of falsehood.
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those that contrive evil; but for the counsellors of peace there is joy.
Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.
21 No wrong can come unawares to the righteous; but the wicked are full of evil.
No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 An abomination of the Lord are lips of falsehood; but they that deal in faithfulness [obtain] his favor.
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth [his] knowledge; but the heart of fools proclaimeth [their] folly.
A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
24 The hand of the diligent will bear rule; but the indolent must become tributary.
The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25 If there be care in the heart of man, let him suppress it; and a good word will change it into joy.
Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor; but the way of the wicked leadeth them astray.
A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.
27 The indolent roasteth not that which he hath caught in hunting; but the most precious wealth of man is diligence.
A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.
28 On the path of righteousness there is life; and on her pathway there is immortality,
There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.
