Proverbs, 12

1. Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.

1. He who loves discipline, loves knowledge; foolish is he who rejects correction.

2. A good [man] obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

2. The good man wins the favor of Yahweh who condemns the one of evil schemes.

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

3. No man is made secure by evil but nothing undermines the roots of the upright.

4. A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.

4. A good wife is her husband's crown while the shameless woman is like a cancer in his bones.

5. The thoughts of the righteous [are] right: [but] the counsels of the wicked [are] deceit.

5. The plans of the upright are honest and the plottings of the wicked deceitful.

6. The words of the wicked [are] to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

6. The words of the wicked are mortal snares but the virtuous refute and elude them.

7. The wicked are overthrown, and [are] not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

7. The evildoers are thrown down and are no more; but the house of the virtuous will never crumble.

8. A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

8. Everyone is praised in proportion to his prudence; while the corrupt of heart will be met with contempt.

9. [He that is] despised, and hath a servant, [is] better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

9. Better to be a common man and have a servant than to feel oneself great and run short of bread.

10. A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.

10. The upright man looks after his animals but the wicked are heartless.

11. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of understanding.

11. He who cultivates the earth will have his fill of bread, while the fool chases after illusions.

12. The wicked desireth the net of evil [men]: but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].

12. The desires of the wicked produce evil, but the roots of the virtuous produce fruit.

13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

13. The wicked man is entangled in his own lies, but the virtuous man will be saved from misfortune.

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.

14. Those who meditates on wisdom will attain all that is good; each one is rewarded according to the works of his hands.

15. The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise.

15. The fool considers his way right while the wise man listens to advice.

16. A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent [man] covereth shame.

16. The fool shows his annoyance immediately, but the discreet man overlooks an insult.

17. [He that] speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

17. The trustworthy witness leads to the truth, and the liar to confusion.

18. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health.

18. The one who speaks thoughtlessly pierces like a sword; but the words of the wise bring healing.

19. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue [is] but for a moment.

19. Truthful words endure forever but lies, for only a moment.

20. Deceit [is] in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace [is] joy.

20. Deceit dwells in the heart of the schemer, happiness in those who pursue peace.

21. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

21. No misfortune will befall the virtuous but the wicked will have their fill of troubles.

22. Lying lips [are] abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly [are] his delight.

22. Yahweh hates the lips of liars and loves those who speak the truth.

23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

23. The discreet man conceals his wisdom while fools make public their nonsense.

24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

24. The hardworking hand will rule; and the lazy will have to obey.

25. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

25. Intense grief depresses the heart while a friendly word makes it glad.

26. The righteous [is] more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

26. The just man guides his neighbor while 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.

27. The lazy hand will have no game to cook: being industrious is the secret of wealth.

28. In the way of righteousness [is] life; and [in] the pathway [thereof there is] no death.

28. Life is to be found on the path of virtue, the way of the wicked leads to death.