Proverbs 12
1 Whoever loveth instruction 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] obtaineth favor from the LORD: but a man of wicked devices he will 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 not 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] right: [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] to lie 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 [He that is] despised, and hath a servant, [is] better than he that honoreth himself, and is destitute of 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 be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth 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 The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just 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 recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered to him.
By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns 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 a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.
16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent [man] covereth shame.
A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
17 [He that] speaketh truth showeth 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 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 imagine evil: but to the counselors 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 evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips [are] 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 under tribute.
The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man depresseth it: 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] more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
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 substance of a diligent man [is] precious.
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 path [of it there is] no death.
There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.
