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 A good man shall obtain favour 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 shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall never 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 she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
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 just: [but] the 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 shall deliver them.
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.
9 Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.
10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
11 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] is void of understanding.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].
The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13 In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man: but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the doings of a man’s hands shall be rendered 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 the foolish is right in his own eyes: but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.
16 A fool’s vexation is presently known: but a prudent man concealeth shame.
A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
17 He that uttereth truth sheweth forth righteousness, but a false witness deceit.
He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
18 There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.
21 There shall no mischief happen to the righteous: but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be put under taskwork.
The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25 Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad.
Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbour: but the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.
27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the precious substance of men [is to] the diligent.
A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.
28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.
