Proverbs 12
1 Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof [is] brutish.
He that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates reproofs is a fool.
2 The good bringeth forth favour from Jehovah, And the man of wicked devices He condemneth.
He that has found favour with the Lord [is made] better; but a transgressor shall be passed over in silence.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.
A man shall not prosper by wickedness; but the roots of the righteous shall not be taken up.
4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.
5 The thoughts of the righteous [are] justice, The counsels of the wicked — deceit.
The thoughts of the righteous [are true] judgements; but ungodly men devise deceits.
6 The words of the wicked [are]: 'Lay wait for blood,' And the mouth of the upright delivereth them.
The words of ungodly men are crafty; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous standeth.
When the ungodly is overthrown, he vanishes away; but the houses of the just remain.
8 According to his wisdom is a man praised, And the perverted of heart becometh despised.
The mouth of an understanding [man] is praised by a man; but he that is dull of heart is had in derision.
9 Better [is] the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.
Better is a man in dishonour serving himself, than one honouring himself and lacking bread.
10 The righteous knoweth the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
A righteous man has pity for the lives of his cattle; but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful.
11 Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,
He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread; but they that pursue vanities are void of understanding. He that enjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall leave dishonour in his own strong holds.
12 The wicked hath desired the net of evil doers, And the root of the righteous giveth.
The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the roots of the godly are firmly set.
13 In transgression of the lips [is] the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress.
For the sin of [his] lips a sinner falls into snare; but a righteous man escapes from them. He whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, but he that contends in the gates will afflict souls.
14 From the fruit of the mouth [is] one satisfied [with] good, And the deed of man's hands returneth to him.
The soul of a man shall be filled with good from the fruits of his mouth; and the recompence of his lips shall be given to him.
15 The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes, And whoso is hearkening to counsel [is] wise.
The ways of fools are right in their own eyes; but a wise man hearkens to counsels.
16 The fool — in a day is his anger known, And the prudent is covering shame.
A fool declares his wrath the same day; but a prudent man hides his own disgrace.
17 Whoso uttereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, And a false witness — deceit.
A righteous man declares the open truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.
18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.
Some wound as they speak, [like] swords; but the tongues of the wise heal.
19 The lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment — a tongue of falsehood.
True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.
20 Deceit [is] in the heart of those devising evil, And to those counselling peace [is] joy.
[There is] deceit in the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that love peace shall rejoice.
21 No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.
No injustice will please a just man; but the ungodly will be filled with mischief.
22 An abomination to Jehovah [are] lying lips, And stedfast doers [are] his delight.
Lying lips are a abomination to the Lord; but he that deals faithfully is accepted with him.
23 A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.
An understanding man is a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.
24 The hand of the diligent ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary.
The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule; but the deceitful shall be for a prey.
25 Sorrow in the heart of a man boweth down, And a good word maketh him glad.
A terrible word troubles the heart of a righteous man; but a good message rejoices him.
26 The righteous searcheth his companion, And the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
A just arbitrator shall be his own friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray.
27 The slothful roasteth not his hunting, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.
A deceitful man shall catch no game; but a blameless man is a precious possession.
28 In the path of righteousness [is] life, And in the way of [that] path [is] no death!
In the ways of righteousness is life; but the ways of those that remember injuries [lead] to death.
