Proverbs 12
1 A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.
Qui aime la réprimande aime la science; mais qui hait les remontrances est un sot.
2 A good man has grace in the eyes of the Lord; but the man of evil designs gets punishment from him.
L’Homme bon s’attire la bienveillance de l’Eternel, l’homme artificieux sa réprobation:
3 No man will make himself safe through evil-doing; but the root of upright men will never be moved.
On ne se maintient pas par l’iniquité; mais les justes jettent des racines inébranlables.
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.
Une femme vertueuse est la couronne de son époux; une dévergondée, c’est la carie dans ses os.
5 The purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers are deceit.
Les justes ne rêvent que justice, les méchants ne combinent que tromperies.
6 The words of sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.
Les méchants ne parlent que de dresser des embûches meurtrières; mais la bouche des justes ne s’applique qu’à sauver.
7 Evil-doers are overturned and never seen again, but the house of upright men will keep its place.
Une secousse, et les méchants ne sont plus! Mais la demeure des justes est stable.
8 A man will be praised in the measure of his wisdom, but a wrong-minded man will be looked down on.
En proportion de son intelligence, l’homme mérite des éloges; mais les cœurs obliques sont un objet de mépris.
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.
Mieux vaut être dédaigné et posséder un esclave, que de faire le grand et manquer de pain.
10 An upright man has thought for the life of his beast, but the hearts of evil-doers are cruel.
Le juste a le souci du bien-être de ses bêtes; mais les entrailles des méchants ne connaissent pas la pitié.
11 He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.
Celui qui cultive sa terre a du pain à satiété; celui qui poursuit des frivolités manque de sens.
12 The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.
L’Impie convoite ce qui devient un piège pour les méchants; mais la racine des justes est généreuse en fruits.
13 In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.
Les lèvres criminelles constituent un piège funeste; mais le juste échappe à la peine.
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.
L’Homme doit à l’usage de la parole le bien dont il jouit; on paie à chacun le prix de ses œuvres.
15 The way of the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.
La voie de l’insensé paraît droite à ses yeux; mais écouter des conseils, c’est être sage.
16 A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.
Le sot, sur l’heure, manifeste son dépit; un habile homme sait dévorer un affront.
17 The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.
Celui qui est épris de loyauté expose fidèlement les faits; le témoin mensonger les dénature.
18 There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again.
Il en est dont la parole blesse comme des coups d’épée, mais, le langage des sages est un baume bienfaisant.
19 True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.
La vérité est éternelle; le mensonge dure un clin d’œil.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.
Dans le cœur de ceux qui méditent le mal s’il n’y a que perfidie; chez ceux qui donnent des conseils salutaires, il n’y a que joie.
21 No trouble will come to upright men, but sinners will be full of evil.
Aucune calamité ne surprend le juste; mais les méchants sont accablés de maux.
22 False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.
L’Eternel a horreur des lèvres mensongères; mais il aime ceux qui agissent avec loyauté.
23 A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.
Un homme avisé ne fait pas montre de son savoir; les esprits sots crient leur sottise.
24 The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.
La main diligente assure le pouvoir; la main négligente paie tribut.
25 Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.
Le souci abat le cœur de l’homme; mais une bonne parole y ramène la joie.
26 The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.
Supérieur à tous est le juste; les méchants suivent un chemin qui les égare.
27 He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.
La paresse évite de mettre son gibier sur le feu; mais l’activité est un trésor précieux pour l’homme.
28 In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.
Sur le chemin de la vertu se trouve la vie, et son sentier aboutit à l’immortalité.
