Proverbs 12
1 Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof [is] brutish.
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 The good bringeth forth favour from Jehovah, And the man of wicked devices He condemneth.
A good man shall obtain favour from the LORD, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.
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 not be moved.
4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.
A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife 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 just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
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 about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous standeth.
The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, 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 wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
9 Better [is] the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.
Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honours himself and lacks bread.
10 The righteous knoweth the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
A righteous man respects the life of his animal, 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 who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
12 The wicked hath desired the net of evil doers, And the root of the righteous giveth.
The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13 In transgression of the lips [is] the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress.
An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come 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. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to 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 right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.
16 The fool — in a day is his anger known, And the prudent is covering shame.
A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
17 Whoso uttereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, And a false witness — deceit.
He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.
18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.
There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
19 The lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment — a tongue of falsehood.
Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
20 Deceit [is] in the heart of those devising evil, And to those counselling peace [is] joy.
Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
21 No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.
No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be 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 those who do the truth are his delight.
23 A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.
A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary.
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labour.
25 Sorrow in the heart of a man boweth down, And a good word maketh him glad.
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
26 The righteous searcheth his companion, And the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The slothful roasteth not his hunting, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.
The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
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; in its path there is no death.
