< Proverbs 12 >

1 Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof [is] brutish.
Whoso loveth knowledge loveth correction; but he that is brutish hateth reproof.
2 The good bringeth forth favour from Jehovah, And the man of wicked devices He condemneth.
A good man shall obtain favour of the LORD; but a man of wicked devices will He condemn.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.
A man shall not be established by wickedness; but the root of the righteous shall never be moved.
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 she that doeth shamefully is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous [are] justice, The counsels of the wicked — deceit.
The thoughts of the righteous are right; but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
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 to lie in wait for blood; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous standeth.
The wicked are overthrown, and are not; but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 According to his wisdom is a man praised, And the perverted of heart becometh despised.
A man shall be commended according to his intelligence; but he that is of a distorted understanding shall be despised.
9 Better [is] the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.
Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that playeth the man of rank, and lacketh bread.
10 The righteous knoweth the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,
He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; but he that followeth after vain things is void of understanding.
12 The wicked hath desired the net of evil doers, And the root of the righteous giveth.
The wicked desireth the prey of evil men; but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13 In transgression of the lips [is] the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress.
In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man; but the righteous cometh out of trouble.
14 From the fruit of the mouth [is] one satisfied [with] good, And the deed of man's hands returneth to him.
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the doings of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15 The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes, And whoso is hearkening to counsel [is] wise.
The way of a fool is straight in his own eyes; but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16 The fool — in a day is his anger known, And the prudent is covering shame.
A fool's vexation is presently known; but a prudent man concealeth shame.
17 Whoso uttereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, And a false witness — deceit.
He that breatheth forth truth uttereth righteousness; but a false witness deceit.
18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment — a tongue of falsehood.
The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit [is] in the heart of those devising evil, And to those counselling peace [is] joy.
Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21 No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.
There shall no mischief befall the righteous; but the wicked are filled with evil.
22 An abomination to Jehovah [are] lying lips, And stedfast doers [are] his delight.
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD; but they that deal truly are His delight.
23 A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.
A prudent man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary.
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25 Sorrow in the heart of a man boweth down, And a good word maketh him glad.
Care in the heart of a man boweth it down; but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous searcheth his companion, And the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
The righteous is guided by his friend; but the way of the wicked leadeth them astray.
27 The slothful roasteth not his hunting, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.
The slothful man shall not hunt his prey; but the precious substance of men is to be diligent.
28 In the path of righteousness [is] life, And in the way of [that] path [is] no death!
In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

< Proverbs 12 >