12 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

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

12 Whoever loves discipline loves to learn,
but whoever hates correction is a dumb animal.
A good person obtains favor from the Lord,
but the Lord condemns everyone who schemes.
A person cannot stand firm on a foundation of wickedness,
and the roots of righteous people cannot be moved.
A wife with strength of character is the crown of her husband,
but the wife who disgraces him is like bone cancer.

The thoughts of righteous people are fair.
The advice of wicked people is treacherous.
The words of wicked people are a deadly ambush,
but the words [a] of decent people rescue.
Overthrow wicked people, and they are no more,
but the families of righteous people continue to stand.

A person will be praised based on his insight,
but whoever has a twisted mind will be despised.
Better to be unimportant and have a slave
than to act important and have nothing to eat.
10 A righteous person cares ⌞even⌟ about the life of his animals,
but the compassion of wicked people is ⌞nothing but⌟ cruelty.
11 Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat,
but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense.
12 A wicked person delights in setting a trap for ⌞other⌟ evil people,
but the roots of righteous people produce ⌞fruit⌟.
13 An evil person is trapped by his own sinful talk,
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.
14 One person enjoys good things as a result of his speaking ability.
Another is paid according to what his hands have accomplished.

15 A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one,
but a person who listens to advice is wise.
16 When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately,
but a sensible person hides the insult.

17 A truthful witness speaks honestly,
but a lying witness speaks deceitfully.
18 Careless words stab like a sword,
but the words of wise people bring healing.
19 The word of truth lasts forever,
but lies last only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil,
but joy belongs to those who advise peace.

21 No ⌞lasting⌟ harm comes to a righteous person,
but wicked people have lots of trouble.
22 Lips that lie are disgusting to the Lord,
but honest people are his delight.
23 A sensible person ⌞discreetly⌟ hides knowledge,
but foolish minds preach stupidity.
24 Hard-working hands gain control,
but lazy hands do slave labor.
25 A person’s anxiety will weigh him down,
but an encouraging word makes him joyful.
26 A righteous person looks out for his neighbor,
but the path of wicked people leads others astray.
27 A lazy hunter does not catch his prey,
but a hard-working person becomes wealthy.
28 Everlasting life is on the way of righteousness.
Eternal death is not along its path.

Footnotes

  1. 12:6 Or “mouths.”

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but he who (A)hates reproof is (B)stupid.
A good man (C)obtains favor from the Lord,
    but a man of evil devices he condemns.
No one is established by wickedness,
    but the root of (D)the righteous will never be moved.
(E)An excellent wife is (F)the crown of her husband,
    but she who (G)brings shame is like (H)rottenness in his bones.
(I)The thoughts of the righteous are just;
    the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
The words of the wicked (J)lie in wait for blood,
    but (K)the mouth of the upright delivers them.
(L)The wicked are (M)overthrown and are no more,
    (N)but the house of the righteous will stand.
A man is commended according to his good sense,
    but one of twisted mind is (O)despised.
Better to be lowly and have a servant
    than to play the great man and lack bread.
10 (P)Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
    but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11 (Q)Whoever works his land (R)will have plenty of bread,
    (S)but he who follows (T)worthless pursuits lacks sense.
12 Whoever is wicked covets (U)the spoil of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 An evil man is ensnared (V)by the transgression of his lips,[a]
    (W)but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth (X)a man is satisfied with good,
    (Y)and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
15 (Z)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but a wise man listens to advice.
16 (AA)The vexation of a fool is known at once,
    but the prudent ignores an insult.
17 (AB)Whoever speaks[b] the truth gives honest evidence,
    but (AC)a false witness utters deceit.
18 (AD)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings (AE)healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but (AF)a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of (AG)those who devise evil,
    but those who plan peace have joy.
21 (AH)No ill befalls the righteous,
    but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 (AI)Lying lips are (AJ)an abomination to the Lord,
    (AK)but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 (AL)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
    (AM)but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 (AN)The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the slothful will be (AO)put to forced labor.
25 (AP)Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,[c]
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 (AQ)Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
    but the diligent man will get precious wealth.[d]
28 (AR)In the path of righteousness is life,
    and in its pathway there is no death.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:13 Or In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare
  2. Proverbs 12:17 Hebrew breathes out
  3. Proverbs 12:26 Or The righteous chooses his friends carefully
  4. Proverbs 12:27 Or but diligence is precious wealth