Proverbs 12
1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good [man] obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
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 virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [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] right: [but] the counsels of the wicked [are] deceit.
The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked [are] to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver 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] not: 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 man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
A person is praised by how much wisdom he has, but the one who makes perverse choices is despised.
9 [He that is] despised, and hath a servant, [is] better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh 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] regardeth the life of his beast: 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 that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons 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 desireth the net of evil [men: ] but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].
The wicked person desires what evil men have stolen from others, but the fruit of righteous people comes from themselves.
13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just 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: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto 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 that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent [man] covereth shame.
A fool shows his anger at once, but one who ignores an insult is prudent.
17 [He that] speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
The one who speaks the truth says what is right, but a false witness tells lies.
18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health.
The words of one who speaks rashly are like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue [is] but for a moment.
Truthful lips last forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment.
20 Deceit [is] in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace [is] joy.
There is deceit in the hearts of those who plan to do evil, but joy comes to the advisors of peace.
21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
No ill comes on the righteous person, but wicked people are filled with difficulties.
22 Lying lips [are] abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly [are] his delight.
Yahweh hates lying lips, but those who live faithfully are his delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
A prudent man conceals his knowledge, but the heart of fools shouts out folly.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
The hand of the diligent will rule, but lazy people will be put to forced labor.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
Anxiety in the heart of a person weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
26 The righteous [is] more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
The righteous person is a guide for his friend, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The slothful [man] roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man [is] precious.
Lazy people would not roast their own game, but the diligent man will obtain precious wealth.
28 In the way of righteousness [is] life; and [in] the pathway [thereof there is] no death.
Those who walk in the right way find life and in its path there is no death.
