12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.(A)

The good person obtains favor from the Lord,(B)
but He condemns a man who schemes.(C)

Man cannot be made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous is immovable.(D)

A capable wife[a] is her husband’s crown,(E)
but a wife who causes shame
is like rottenness in his bones.(F)

The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but guidance from the wicked leads to deceit.

The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,(G)
but the speech of the upright rescues them.(H)

The wicked are overthrown and perish,(I)
but the house of the righteous will stand.(J)

A man is praised for his insight,
but a twisted mind is despised.

Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.(K)

10 A righteous man cares about his animal’s health,(L)
but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,(M)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.(N)

12 The wicked desire what evil men have,[b]
but the root of the righteous produces fruit.

13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech,(O)
but a righteous one escapes from trouble.(P)

14 A man will be satisfied with good
by the words of his mouth,(Q)
and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.(R)

15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,(S)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.(T)

17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness, deceit.(U)

18 There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;(V)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(W)

19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.(X)

20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(Y)

21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,(Z)
but the wicked are full of misery.

22 Lying lips are detestable to the Lord,(AA)
but faithful people are His delight.(AB)

23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.(AC)

24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.(AD)

25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(AE)

26 A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor,[c]
but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.(AF)

27 A lazy man doesn’t roast his game,(AG)
but to a diligent man, his wealth is precious.(AH)

28 There is life in the path of righteousness,
but another path leads to death.[d](AI)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:4 Or A wife of quality, or A wife of good character
  2. Proverbs 12:12 Or desire a stronghold of evil
  3. Proverbs 12:26 Or man guides his neighbor
  4. Proverbs 12:28 Or righteousness, and in its path there is no death

12 喜愛管教的喜愛知識,
    厭惡責備的愚不可及。
善良的人蒙耶和華賜恩,
    詭詐的人被耶和華定罪。
人不能靠惡行堅立自己,
    義人的根基卻不會動搖。
賢德的妻子是丈夫的冠冕,
    無恥的妻子如丈夫的骨瘤。
義人的心思公平正直,
    惡人的計謀陰險詭詐。
惡人的言語暗藏殺機,
    正直人的口拯救生命。
惡人覆滅不復存在,
    義人的家屹立不倒。
人有智慧受稱讚,
    心術不正遭唾棄。
地位卑微卻有僕人,
    勝過自高卻餓肚子。
10 義人顧惜自己的牲畜,
    惡人的憐憫也是殘忍。
11 努力耕耘者豐衣足食;
    追求虛榮者愚不可及。
12 惡人貪戀壞人的贓物,
    義人的根結出碩果。
13 惡人被自己的惡言所困,
    但義人可以脫離險境。
14 口出良言,飽嚐美福;
    雙手勤勞,終得回報。
15 愚人自以為是,
    智者肯聽勸誡。
16 愚人難壓怒氣,
    明哲忍辱負重。
17 忠實的證人講真話,
    作偽證者滿口謊言。
18 出言不慎猶如利劍傷人,
    智者之言卻能醫治創傷。
19 誠實的口永遠長存,
    撒謊的舌轉瞬即逝。
20 圖謀惡事的心懷詭詐,
    勸人和睦的喜樂洋溢。
21 義人無往不利,
    惡人災禍連連。
22 耶和華厭惡說謊的嘴,
    祂喜愛行為誠實的人。
23 明哲不露鋒芒,
    愚人心吐愚昧。
24 殷勤的手必掌權,
    懶惰者必做奴僕。
25 憂慮的心使人消沉,
    一句良言振奮人心。
26 義人引人走正路,
    惡人領人入歧途。
27 懶漢不烤獵物,
    勤快人得資財。
28 公義的道上有生命,
    公義的路上無死亡。

12 Do you want to know the right way to live?
    Then you must accept it when people warn you that you have done something wrong.
    Only stupid people hate it when people warn them.
The Lord helps good people.
    But he punishes people who want to do evil things.
No one can use wicked things to make himself safe.
    But a righteous person has strong roots.
A good wife will bring honour to her husband, like a crown.
    But a wife who brings shame to her husband will take away his strength.
Righteous people want to do things that are right.
    But do not trust the advice of wicked people.
The words of wicked people are like a trap that will kill good people.
    But the words of honest people will save people's lives.
Wicked people soon come to an end and they disappear.
    But the families of righteous people will continue to be strong.
People will praise a wise person, as much as his wisdom deserves.
    But no one will respect a person who is stupid.
It is better to be a humble person who has a servant
    than a proud person who has no food to eat.
10 Righteous people take care of their animals.
    But wicked people are cruel even when they think they are kind.
11 A farmer who works hard will have plenty of food to eat.
    But anyone who works only on useless things is foolish.
12 Wicked people want to take the things that other bad people have.
    But righteous people remain strong, with deep roots.
13 The lies of evil people put them in trouble.
    But righteous people escape from trouble.
14 If you say good things, you will receive good things that make you happy.
    You will receive what you deserve from the things that you do.
15 Foolish people always do what seems right to them.
    But wise people listen to advice from others.
16 When a fool becomes angry, everybody knows it!
    But a careful person keeps quiet when someone insults him.
17 Honest people speak the truth in court.
    But a person who tells lies never says what is true.
18 If you speak in a careless way, you may hurt other people.
    But when wise people speak, it makes people feel well.
19 True words continue to be true for ever.
    But people quickly see that lies are lies.
20 Someone who wants to cause trouble has a mind that is full of lies.
    But someone who wants to bring peace has a mind that is full of joy.
21 Trouble keeps away from righteous people.
    But wicked people have trouble all the time.
22 The Lord hates people who tell lies.
    But he is pleased with people who do what they promise to do.
23 Careful people keep quiet about how much they know.
    But foolish people show everyone how silly they are.
24 If you work hard, you will become a leader.
    But if you are lazy, you will become a slave.
25 If you worry all the time, it will make you sad.
    But kind words will make you happy.
26 A righteous person gives good advice to his friends.
    But wicked people are always taking the wrong path.
27 A lazy person does not cook the animals that he has caught.
    But if you work hard, you will enjoy many valuable things.
28 If you do what is right, you will find true life.
    Along that path, there is no death.

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.