Proverbs 12

1 He that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates reproofs is a fool.

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

2 He that has found favor with the Lord [is made] better; but a transgressor shall be passed over in silence.

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

3 A man shall not prosper by wickedness; but the roots of the righteous shall not be taken up.

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

4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.

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 The thoughts of the righteous [are true] judgments; but ungodly men devise deceits.

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

6 The words of ungodly men are crafty; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

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

7 When the ungodly is overthrown, he vanishes away; but the houses of the just remain.

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

8 The mouth of an understanding [man] is praised by a man; but he that is dull of heart is had in derision.

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

9 Better is a man in dishonor serving himself, than one honouring himself and lacking bread.

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 A righteous man has pity for the lives of his cattle; but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful.

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

11 He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread; but they that pursue vanities are void of understanding. He that enjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall leave dishonor in his own strong holds.

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

12 The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the roots of the godly are firmly set.

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

13 For the sin of [his] lips a sinner falls into snare; but a righteous man escapes from them. He whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, but he that contends in the gates will afflict souls.

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

14 The soul of a man shall be filled with good from the fruits of his mouth; and the recompence of his lips shall be given to him.

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 The ways of fools are right in their own eyes; but a wise man hearkens to counsels.

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

16 A fool declares his wrath the same day; but a prudent man hides his own disgrace.

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

17 A righteous man declares the open truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.

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

18 Some wound as they speak, [like] swords; but the tongues of the wise heal.

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

19 True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.

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

20 [There is] deceit in the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that love peace shall rejoice.

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

21 No injustice will please a just man; but the ungodly will be filled with mischief.

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

22 Lying lips are a abomination to the Lord; but he that deals faithfully is accepted with him.

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

23 An understanding man is a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.

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

24 The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule; but the deceitful shall be for a prey.

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

25 A terrible word troubles the heart of a righteous man; but a good message rejoices him.

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

26 A just arbitrator shall be his own friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray.

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

27 A deceitful man shall catch no game; but a blameless man is a precious possession.

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

28 In the ways of righteousness is life; but the ways of those that remember injuries [lead] to death.

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