Proverbs 12
1 Whoever 'ahav ·affectionately loves· correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
Whoever is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoever is hating reproof [is] brutish.
2 A good man shall obtain favor from Adonai, but he will condemn as guilty a man of wicked devices.
The good brings forth favor from YHWH, And the man of wicked schemes He condemns.
3 A man shall not be established by ethical wickedness, but the root of the upright shall not be moved.
A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.
4 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as 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 upright are mishpat ·just·, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
The thoughts of the righteous [are] justice, The counsels of the wicked—deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
The words of the wicked [are]: “Lay [in] wait for blood,” And the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the upright shall stand.
Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous stands.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
A man is praised according to his wisdom, And the perverted of heart becomes despised.
9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
Better [is] the lightly esteemed who has a servant, Than the self-honored who lacks bread.
10 A upright man respects the life of his animal, but the tender rachamim ·merciful loves· of the wicked is cruel.
The righteous knows the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
11 He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
Whoever is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,
12 The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the upright flourishes.
The wicked has desired the net of evildoers, And the root of the righteous gives.
13 An evil man is trapped by rebellious breach of relationship of lips, but the upright shall come out of trouble.
The snare of the wicked [is] in transgression of the lips, And the righteous goes out from distress.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to 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 who is wise sh'ma ·hears obeys· counsel.
The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes, And whoever is listening to counsel [is] wise.
16 A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
The fool—his anger is known in a day, And the prudent is covering shame.
17 He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.
Whoever utters faithfulness declares righteousness, And a false witness—deceit.
18 There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.
19 Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
The lip of truth is established forever, And a tongue of falsehood for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
Deceit [is] in the heart of those devising evil, But for counselors of peace—joy.
21 No vain striving of iniquity shall happen to the upright, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Adonai, but those who do the truth are his delight.
Lying lips [are] an abomination to YHWH, And steadfast doers [are] his delight.
23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
The hand of the diligent rules, And slothfulness becomes tributary.
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
Sorrow in the heart of a man bows down, And a good word makes him glad.
26 A upright person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
The righteous searches his companion, And the way of the wicked causes them to err.
27 The slothful man does not roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
The slothful does not roast his game, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.
28 In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.
In the path of righteousness [is] life, And in the way of [that] path [is] no death!
