Proverbs 12
1 Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 A good man shall obtain favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
A good man shall obtain favour from the LORD, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall never be moved.
A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just: [but] the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
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 are about lying 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 are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
9 Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honours himself and lacks bread.
10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] is void of understanding.
He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].
The wicked desires 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 sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of 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.
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.
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 he who is wise listens to counsel.
16 A fool’s vexation is presently known: but a prudent man concealeth shame.
A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
17 He that uttereth truth sheweth forth righteousness, but a false witness deceit.
He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.
18 There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
21 There shall no mischief happen to the righteous: but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who do the truth are his delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be put under taskwork.
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labour.
25 Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad.
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbour: but the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the precious substance of men [is to] the diligent.
The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.
