Proverbs 12
1 Those who want to know [what is right to do] want to be (disciplined/corrected) when they do what is wrong; it is foolish to not want to be (corrected/told that what you did is wrong).
A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.
2 Yahweh is pleased with good people, but he condemns those who plan to harm [others].
A good man has grace in the eyes of the Lord; but the man of evil designs gets punishment from him.
3 People do not become secure/safe by doing what is wicked; righteous [people] will be very safe and secure [LIT] like [MET] a tree that has deep roots.
No man will make himself safe through evil-doing; but the root of upright men will never be moved.
4 A good wife is one who causes her husband to be greatly honored, but a wife who does things that cause her husband to be ashamed [will destroy him] like [SIM] cancer [destroys] his bones.
A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.
5 What righteous [people] want to do is [to treat people] fairly; what wicked [people] want to do is to deceive people.
The purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers are deceit.
6 What wicked [people] say is like a trap [MET] that kills [MTY] people [who pass by], but what righteous [people] say [MTY] rescues those whom [wicked people threaten to harm].
The words of sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.
7 Wicked [people] will die [before they become old and we will see] them no more, but righteous people will live [for many years] and have many descendants.
Evil-doers are overturned and never seen again, but the house of upright men will keep its place.
8 [People will] praise those who have good sense, but [people will] despise those (who are always thinking about doing evil things/whose thinking is twisted).
A man will be praised in the measure of his wisdom, but a wrong-minded man will be looked down on.
9 It is better to be a humble/ordinary person who has only one servant than to think that you are very important while you have nothing to eat.
He who is of low position and has a servant, is better than one who has a high opinion of himself and is in need of bread.
10 Righteous people take care of their domestic animals, but wicked people act cruelly [toward their animals].
An upright man has thought for the life of his beast, but the hearts of evil-doers are cruel.
11 Farmers who work hard in their fields will [produce good crops] that will give them plenty to eat, but those who waste their time working on worthless projects are foolish.
He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.
12 Wicked [people] desire to take away what [other] evil people have, but [Yahweh] enables righteous/godly [people] to be steadfast and productive [MET].
The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.
13 Evil people are trapped by the evil things that they say [MTY], but righteous [people] escape from trouble.
In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.
14 People are rewarded for [the good things] that they say [to others], and people are [also] rewarded for the good work that they do [MTY].
From the fruit of his mouth will a man have good food in full measure, and the work of a man's hands will be rewarded.
15 Foolish people [always] think that what they are doing is right; wise people heed [other people when they give them good] advice.
The way of the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.
16 Foolish people quickly become angry when someone does something that they don’t like; but those who have good sense ignore it when others insult them.
A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.
17 [In the courtroom], honest people say what is true, but untruthful/dishonest people tell [nothing but] lies.
The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.
18 What some people say [hurts people badly], as much as [SIM] a sword can; but what wise [people] say (heals [others’ souls]/comforts others).
There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again.
19 When people tell [MTY] lies, others soon realize that what they said is not true [IDM]; but when people say what is true, others will remember that forever.
True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.
20 Those who plan to do what is evil are always wanting to deceive [others], but things will go well for those who plan [to do] good things.
Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.
21 Bad things [usually] [HYP] do not happen to righteous [people], but wicked [people] always have troubles.
No trouble will come to upright men, but sinners will be full of evil.
22 Yahweh detests those [MTY] who tell lies, but he is delighted with those who faithfully do what they promise that they will do.
False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.
23 Those with good sense do not reveal [all] that they know; foolish people show [clearly] by what they say that they (are ignorant/have not learned much).
A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.
24 Those [SYN] who work hard become rulers [of others]; those who are lazy become slaves [of others.]
The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.
25 When people are anxious/worried, they become depressed/dejected, but when others speak kindly to them, it causes them to be cheerful again.
Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.
26 Godly/Righteous people try to [give good advice to] their friends (OR, try to make friends with others), but the manner in which wicked [people] live misleads their friends.
The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.
27 Lazy people do not even [cook the meat of] the animals that they catch/kill, but those who work hard will acquire (OR, are like) a valuable treasure.
He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.
28 Those who (live righteously/continually do what is right) are [walking] on the road to a long life; (it is not a road to death/they will not die when they are still young).
In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.
