Proverbes 12

1 Qui aime l’instruction aime la connaissance, et qui hait la répréhension est stupide.

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

2 L’homme de bien obtient la faveur de par l’Éternel, mais l’homme qui fait des machinations, il le condamne.

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

3 L’homme n’est point affermi par la méchanceté, mais la racine des justes n’est pas ébranlée.

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

4 Une femme vertueuse est la couronne de son mari, mais celle qui fait honte est comme de la pourriture dans ses os.

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.

5 Les pensées des justes sont jugement, les desseins des méchants sont fraude.

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

6 Les paroles des méchants sont des embûches pour [verser] le sang, mais la bouche des hommes droits les délivrera.

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

7 Renversez les méchants, et ils ne sont plus; mais la maison des justes demeure.

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

8 Un homme est loué d’après sa prudence, mais le cœur perverti est en butte au mépris.

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

9 Mieux vaut celui qui est d’humble condition, et qui a un serviteur, que celui qui fait l’important et qui manque de pain.

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.

10 Le juste regarde à la vie de sa bête, mais les entrailles des méchants sont cruelles.

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

11 Celui qui laboure sa terre sera rassasié de pain, mais celui qui court après les fainéants est dépourvu de sens.

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

12 Le méchant désire la proie des mauvaises gens, mais la racine des justes est productive.

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

13 Il y a un mauvais piège dans la transgression des lèvres, mais le juste sort de la détresse.

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

14 Du fruit de sa bouche un homme est rassasié de biens, et on rendra à l’homme l’œuvre de ses mains.

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.

15 La voie du fou est droite à ses yeux, mais celui qui écoute le conseil est sage.

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

16 L’irritation du fou se connaît le jour même, mais l’homme avisé couvre sa honte.

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

17 Celui qui dit la vérité annonce la justice, mais le faux témoin, la fraude.

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

18 Il y a tel homme qui dit légèrement ce qui perce comme une épée, mais la langue des sages est santé.

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

19 La lèvre véridique est ferme pour toujours, mais la langue fausse n’est que pour un instant.

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

20 La fraude est dans le cœur de ceux qui machinent le mal, mais il y a de la joie pour ceux qui conseillent la paix.

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

21 Aucun malheur n’arrive au juste, mais les méchants seront comblés de maux.

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

22 Les lèvres menteuses sont en abomination à l’Éternel, mais ceux qui pratiquent la fidélité lui sont agréables.

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

23 L’homme avisé couvre la connaissance, mais le cœur des sots proclame la folie.

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

24 La main des diligents dominera, mais la [main] paresseuse sera tributaire.

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

25 L’inquiétude dans le cœur d’un homme l’abat, mais une bonne parole le réjouit.

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

26 Le juste montre le chemin à son compagnon, mais la voie des méchants les fourvoie.

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

27 Le paresseux ne rôtit pas sa chasse; mais les biens précieux de l’homme sont au diligent.

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

28 La vie est dans le sentier de la justice, et il n’y a pas de mort dans le chemin qu’elle trace.

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