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 Whoso loveth [a]correction loveth knowledge;
But he that hateth reproof is brutish.
A good man shall obtain favor of Jehovah;
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 worthy woman is the crown of her husband;
But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
The thoughts of the righteous are just;
But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
The words of the wicked [b]are of lying in wait for blood;
But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
[c]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.
Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant,
Than he that honoreth 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 have plenty of bread;
But he that followeth after [d]vain persons is void of understanding.
12 The wicked desireth [e]the net of evil men;
But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13 In the transgression of the lips is [f]a snare to the evil man;
But the righteous shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth;
And the doings 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 is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16 A fool’s vexation is [g]presently known;
But a prudent man concealeth shame.
17 He that [h]uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness;
But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is that speaketh rashly 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 devise evil;
But to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21 There shall no mischief happen to the righteous;
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah;
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 [i]the slothful shall be put under taskwork.
25 [j]Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop;
But a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor;
But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
27 [k]The slothful man [l]roasteth not that which he took in hunting;
But the precious substance of men [m]is to the diligent.
28 In the way of righteousness is life;
And in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:1 Or, instruction
  2. Proverbs 12:6 Or, are a lying in wait
  3. Proverbs 12:7 Or, Overthrow the wicked, and they are not
  4. Proverbs 12:11 Or, vain things
  5. Proverbs 12:12 Or, the prey
  6. Proverbs 12:13 Or, an evil snare
  7. Proverbs 12:16 Or, openly. Hebrew in the day.
  8. Proverbs 12:17 Hebrew breatheth out.
  9. Proverbs 12:24 Hebrew slothfulness.
  10. Proverbs 12:25 Or, Care
  11. Proverbs 12:27 Hebrew slothfulness.
  12. Proverbs 12:27 Or, catcheth not his prey
  13. Proverbs 12:27 Or, is to be diligent

12 Those who love discipline love knowledge,
    and those who hate correction are stupid.
The Lord favors good people,
    but he condemns schemers.
No one is established by wicked acts,
    but the roots of the righteous can’t be disturbed.
A strong woman is a crown to her husband,
    but a disgraceful woman is like rot in his bones.
The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the guidance of the wicked is deceptive.
The words of the wicked are a deathtrap,
    but the speech of those who do right rescues them.
The wicked are destroyed and are no more,
    but the family of the righteous will endure.
A person is praised for his insight,
    but a warped mind leads to contempt.
Better to be held in low regard and have a servant
    than to be conceited and lack food.
10 The righteous care about their livestock’s needs,
    but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have plenty to eat,
    but those who engage in empty pursuits have no sense.
12 Desiring evil is a trap for the wicked,
    but the root of the righteous endures.[a]
13 The wicked are trapped by the transgressions of their lips,
    but the righteous escape from distress.
14 From the fruit of their speech, people are well satisfied;
    their work results in reward.
15 Fools see their own way as right,
    but the wise listen to advice.
16 Fools reveal their anger right away,
    but the shrewd hide their contempt.
17 Those who state the truth speak justly,
    but a false witness deceives.
18 Some chatter on like a stabbing sword,
    but a wise tongue heals.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil,
    but there is joy for those who advise peace.
21 No harm happens to the righteous,
    but the wicked receive their fill of trouble.
22 The Lord detests false lips;
    he favors those who do what is true.
23 The shrewd conceal their knowledge,
    but the heart of fools proclaims their stupidity.
24 A hard worker is in charge,
    while a lazy one will be sentenced to hard labor.
25 Anxiety leads to depression,
    but a good word encourages.
26 The righteous offer guidance to their neighbors,[b]
    but the path of the wicked makes them wander.
27 The lazy don’t roast[c] their prey,
    but hard workers receive precious riches.
28 The way of the righteous leads to life,
    but the detestable[d] path leads to death.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:12 Or gives
  2. Proverbs 12:26 Heb uncertain
  3. Proverbs 12:27 Heb uncertain
  4. Proverbs 12:28 LXX; MT the path of the trail

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