Proverbs 12
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
Berean Standard Bible
1Whoso loveth knowledge loveth correction; but he that is brutish hateth reproof.
1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
2A good man shall obtain favour of the LORD; but a man of wicked devices will He condemn.
2The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.
3A man shall not be established by wickedness; but the root of the righteous shall never be moved.
3A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but she that doeth shamefully is as rottenness in his bones.
4A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.
5The thoughts of the righteous are right; but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
5The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.
6The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7The wicked are overthrown, and are not; but the house of the righteous shall stand.
7The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.
8A man shall be commended according to his intelligence; but he that is of a distorted understanding shall be despised.
8A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.
9Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that playeth the man of rank, and lacketh bread.
9Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.
10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
10A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
11He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; but he that followeth after vain things is void of understanding.
11The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
12The wicked desireth the prey of evil men; but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
12The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man; but the righteous cometh out of trouble.
13An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
14A 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.
14By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him.
15The way of a fool is straight in his own eyes; but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.
16A fool's vexation is presently known; but a prudent man concealeth shame.
16A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
17He that breatheth forth truth uttereth righteousness; but a false witness deceit.
17He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health.
18Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
20Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.
21There shall no mischief befall the righteous; but the wicked are filled with evil.
21No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD; but they that deal truly are His delight.
22Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23A prudent man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
23A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful shall be under tribute.
24The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25Care in the heart of a man boweth it down; but a good word maketh it glad.
25Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
26The righteous is guided by his friend; but the way of the wicked leadeth them astray.
26A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.
27The slothful man shall not hunt his prey; but the precious substance of men is to be diligent.
27A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.
28In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
28There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.
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