Proverbs 12
1 Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof [is] brutish.
If you love knowledge, you will love discipline. Anyone who hates being corrected is stupid!
2 The good bringeth forth favour from Jehovah, And the man of wicked devices He condemneth.
The Lord blesses the good, but he condemns anyone with evil schemes.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.
Wickedness doesn't provide security, but those who live right are deeply rooted and cannot be moved.
4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.
A good wife is a crown for her husband, but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous [are] justice, The counsels of the wicked — deceit.
Good people make plans that are fair, but the advice of the wicked is deceptive.
6 The words of the wicked [are]: 'Lay wait for blood,' And the mouth of the upright delivereth them.
The words of the wicked are like a violent ambush, but those of honest people save them.
7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous standeth.
The wicked are destroyed, and they're gone, but the family of the good stands firm.
8 According to his wisdom is a man praised, And the perverted of heart becometh despised.
People are appreciated for talking sense, but those with perverted minds are despised.
9 Better [is] the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.
Better to be a humble man serving himself than a boastful man who has nothing to eat.
10 The righteous knoweth the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
Good people look after their animals, but the care given by wicked is really cruelty.
11 Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,
If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase after worthless things you're stupid.
12 The wicked hath desired the net of evil doers, And the root of the righteous giveth.
Wicked people long for ill-gotten gains, but good people are productive themselves.
13 In transgression of the lips [is] the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress.
The wicked trap themselves by their own sinful words, but good people escape trouble.
14 From the fruit of the mouth [is] one satisfied [with] good, And the deed of man's hands returneth to him.
What you say brings you rewards, and your work returns to bless you.
15 The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes, And whoso is hearkening to counsel [is] wise.
Stupid people think they're on the right track, but if you're wise you listen to advice.
16 The fool — in a day is his anger known, And the prudent is covering shame.
Stupid people get angry immediately, but if you're sensible you ignore an insult.
17 Whoso uttereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, And a false witness — deceit.
Whoever tells the truth is being honest, but a false witness tells lies.
18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.
Some people's hasty words cut like a knife, but the words of the wise bring healing.
19 The lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment — a tongue of falsehood.
Words of truth last forever, but lies are gone in a moment.
20 Deceit [is] in the heart of those devising evil, And to those counselling peace [is] joy.
Deceit is in the mind of those planning evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
21 No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.
No harm comes to the good, but trouble fills the wicked.
22 An abomination to Jehovah [are] lying lips, And stedfast doers [are] his delight.
The Lord hates liars but is happy with those who are trustworthy.
23 A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.
If you're sensible, you don't show off your knowledge, but stupid people announce their stupidity.
24 The hand of the diligent ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary.
Hard work brings leadership, but laziness brings slavery.
25 Sorrow in the heart of a man boweth down, And a good word maketh him glad.
If you're anxious, you're weighed down, but an encouraging word will cheer you up.
26 The righteous searcheth his companion, And the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
Good people look out for their friends, but the way the wicked live leads them astray.
27 The slothful roasteth not his hunting, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.
Lazy people don't catch their prey, but if you work hard you can become rich.
28 In the path of righteousness [is] life, And in the way of [that] path [is] no death!
The path of right leads to life, it doesn't lead to death.
