Proverbs 12

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

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates correction is stupid.

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

Yahweh gives favor to a good man, but he condemns a man who makes evil plans.

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

A person cannot be established by wickedness, but righteous people cannot be uprooted.

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

A worthy wife is her husband's crown, but she who brings shame is like a disease that rots his bones.

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

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

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

The words of wicked people are an ambush waiting for a chance to kill, but the words of the upright keep them safe.

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

Wicked people are overthrown and they are gone, but the house of the righteous person will stand.

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

A person is praised by how much wisdom he has, but the one who makes perverse choices is despised.

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

Better to have an unimportant position—only being a servant— than to brag about your importance but have no food.

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

The righteous person cares about the needs of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

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

The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases after worthless projects has no sense.

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

The wicked person desires what evil men have stolen from others, but the fruit of righteous people comes from themselves.

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

An evil person is trapped by his wicked talk, but the righteous person escapes from trouble.

14 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.

From the fruit of his words a person is filled with good things, just as the work of his hands rewards him.

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

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

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

A fool shows his anger at once, but one who ignores an insult is prudent.

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

The one who speaks the truth says what is right, but a false witness tells lies.

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

The words of one who speaks rashly are like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

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

Truthful lips last forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment.

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

There is deceit in the hearts of those who plan to do evil, but joy comes to the advisors of peace.

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

No ill comes on the righteous person, but wicked people are filled with difficulties.

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

Yahweh hates lying lips, but those who live faithfully are his delight.

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

A prudent man conceals his knowledge, but the heart of fools shouts out folly.

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

The hand of the diligent will rule, but lazy people will be put to forced labor.

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

Anxiety in the heart of a person weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

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

The righteous person is a guide for his friend, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

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

Lazy people would not roast their own game, but the diligent man will obtain precious wealth.

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

Those who walk in the right way find life and in its path there is no death.