Proverbs 12

1 A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.

Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

2 A good man has grace in the eyes of the Lord; but the man of evil designs gets punishment from him.

A good man shall obtain favor from the LORD, but he will condemn a man of wicked devices.

3 No man will make himself safe through evil-doing; but the root of upright men will never be moved.

A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

4 A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.

A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.

5 The purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers are deceit.

The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

6 The words of sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.

The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

7 Evil-doers are overturned and never seen again, but the house of upright men will keep its place.

The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.

8 A man will be praised in the measure of his wisdom, but a wrong-minded man will be looked down on.

A person is commended according to his good sense, but the one who has a perverse mind is despised.

9 He who is of low position and has a servant, is better than one who has a high opinion of himself and is in need of bread.

Better is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.

10 An upright man has thought for the life of his beast, but the hearts of evil-doers are cruel.

A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.

He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.

12 The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.

The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.

13 In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.

An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.

14 From the fruit of his mouth will a man have good food in full measure, and the work of a man's hands will be rewarded.

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 the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.

16 A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.

A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

17 The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.

He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.

18 There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again.

There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.

19 True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.

Truth's lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.

Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.

21 No trouble will come to upright men, but sinners will be full of evil.

No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.

22 False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.

Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who do the truth are his delight.

23 A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.

A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

24 The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.

The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.

25 Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.

Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.

26 The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.

A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.

The slothful man doesn't roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.

28 In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.

In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.