Proverbs 12
1 Whoever is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoever is hating reproof [is] brutish.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. But whoever hates correction is unwise.
2 The good brings forth favor from YHWH, And the man of wicked schemes He condemns.
Whoever is good shall draw grace from the Lord. But whoever trusts in his own thoughts acts impiously.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.
Man will not be made strong from impiety. And the root of the just shall not be moved.
4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.
A diligent woman is a crown to her husband. And she who acts with confusion as to which things are worthy is decay to his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous [are] justice, The counsels of the wicked—deceit.
The thoughts of the just are judgments. And the counsels of the impious are dishonest.
6 The words of the wicked [are]: “Lay [in] wait for blood,” And the mouth of the upright delivers them.
The words of the impious lie in wait for blood. The mouth of the just shall free them.
7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous stands.
Turn from the impious, and they will not be. But the house of the just shall stand firm.
8 A man is praised according to his wisdom, And the perverted of heart becomes despised.
A man will be known by his doctrine. But whoever is vain and heartless will suffer contempt.
9 Better [is] the lightly esteemed who has a servant, Than the self-honored who lacks bread.
Better is a pauper who has what he needs, than someone glorious and in need of bread.
10 The righteous knows the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
The just one knows the lives of his beasts. But the inner most parts of the impious are cruel.
11 Whoever is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,
Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever continually pursues leisure is most foolish. Whoever is soothed by lingering over wine leaves behind contempt in his strongholds.
12 The wicked has desired the net of evildoers, And the root of the righteous gives.
The desire of the impious is the fortification of what is most wicked. But the root of the just shall prosper.
13 The snare of the wicked [is] in transgression of the lips, And the righteous goes out from distress.
For the sins of the lips draw ruin to the evil. But the just shall escape from distress.
14 One [is] satisfied [with] good from the fruit of the mouth, And the deed of man’s hands returns to him.
By the fruit of his own mouth, each one shall be filled with good things, and according to the works of his own hands, it will be distributed to him.
15 The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes, And whoever is listening to counsel [is] wise.
The way of the foolish is right in his own eyes. But whoever is wise listens to counsels.
16 The fool—his anger is known in a day, And the prudent is covering shame.
The senseless immediately reveals his anger. But whoever ignores injuries is clever.
17 Whoever utters faithfulness declares righteousness, And a false witness—deceit.
He is a sign of justice, who speaks what he knows. But whoever deceives is a dishonest witness.
18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.
He who makes promises is also jabbed, as if with a sword, in conscience. But the tongue of the wise is reasonable.
19 The lip of truth is established forever, And a tongue of falsehood for a moment.
The lips of truth shall be steadfast forever. But a hasty witness readies a lying tongue.
20 Deceit [is] in the heart of those devising evil, But for counselors of peace—joy.
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evils. But gladness follows those who take up counsels of peace.
21 No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.
Whatever may befall the just, it will not discourage him. But the impious will be filled with disasters.
22 Lying lips [are] an abomination to YHWH, And steadfast doers [are] his delight.
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. But whoever acts faithfully pleases him.
23 A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaims folly.
A resourceful man conceals knowledge. And the heart of the unwise provokes foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent rules, And slothfulness becomes tributary.
The hand of the strong will rule. But anyone who is neglectful will pay tribute.
25 Sorrow in the heart of a man bows down, And a good word makes him glad.
Grief in the heart of a man humbles him. And with a good word he shall be made glad.
26 The righteous searches his companion, And the way of the wicked causes them to err.
He who ignores a loss for the sake of a friend is just. But the way of the impious will deceive them.
27 The slothful does not roast his game, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.
The dishonest will not discover gain. But the substance of a man will be like precious gold.
28 In the path of righteousness [is] life, And in the way of [that] path [is] no death!
In the path of justice, there is life. But the devious way leads to death.
