Proverbs 12

1 Whoever loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is stupid.

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. But whoever hates correction is unwise.

2 A good man obtaineth favour from the LORD: but a man of wicked devices he will condemn.

Whoever is good shall draw grace from the Lord. But whoever trusts in his own thoughts acts impiously.

3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be 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: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

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 right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

The thoughts of the just are judgments. And the counsels of the impious are dishonest.

6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

The words of the impious lie in wait for blood. The mouth of the just shall free them.

7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

Turn from the impious, and they will not be. But the house of the just shall stand firm.

8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

A man will be known by his doctrine. But whoever is vain and heartless will suffer contempt.

9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and is destitute of bread.

Better is a pauper who has what he needs, than someone glorious and in need of bread.

10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender 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 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

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 desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

The desire of the impious is the fortification of what is most wicked. But the root of the just shall prosper.

13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

For the sins of the lips draw ruin to the evil. But the just shall escape from distress.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered 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: but he that hearkeneth to counsel is wise.

The way of the foolish is right in his own eyes. But whoever is wise listens to counsels.

16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

The senseless immediately reveals his anger. But whoever ignores injuries is clever.

17 He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

He is a sign of justice, who speaks what he knows. But whoever deceives is a dishonest witness.

18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

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 shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but 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 them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evils. But gladness follows those who take up counsels of peace.

21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

Whatever may befall the just, it will not discourage him. But the impious will be filled with disasters.

22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. But whoever acts faithfully pleases him.

23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

A resourceful man conceals knowledge. And the heart of the unwise provokes foolishness.

24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be put to forced labour.

The hand of the strong will rule. But anyone who is neglectful will pay tribute.

25 Heaviness in the heart of man weigheth it down: but a good word maketh it glad.

Grief in the heart of a man humbles him. And with a good word he shall be made glad.

26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

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 man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance 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 way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway of it there is no death.

In the path of justice, there is life. But the devious way leads to death.