12:1 One who loves ①discipline loves knowledge,
But one who hates rebuke is stupid.
▷ ①Or instruction
12:2 A good person will obtain favor from the LORD,
But He will condemn a person ①who devises evil.
▷ ①Lit of evil devices
12:3 A person will not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous will not be moved.
12:4 An ①excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.
▷ ①Or virtuous
12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
12:6 The words of the wicked wait in ambush for blood,
But the mouth of the upright will rescue them.
12:7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.
12:8 A person will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse ①mind will be despised.
▷ ①Lit heart
12:9 Better is one who is lightly esteemed and has a servant,
Than one who honors himself and lacks bread.
12:10 A righteous person has regard for the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
12:11 One who works his land will have plenty of bread,
But one who pursues worthless things lacks ①sense.
▷ ①Lit heart
12:12 The wicked person desires the ①plunder of evil people,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
▷ ①Lit net (for trapping prey); another reading is mountain stronghold
12:13 ①An evil person is ensnared by the offense of his lips,
But the righteous will escape from trouble.
▷ ①Lit In the offense of the lips is an evil snare
12:14 A person will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his ①words,
And the deeds of a person’s hands will return to him.
▷ ①Lit mouth
12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a person who listens to advice is wise.
12:16 A fool’s anger is known at once,
But a prudent person conceals dishonor.
12:17 One who declares truth tells what is right,
But a false witness, deceit.
12:18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
12:19 Truthful lips will endure forever,
But a lying tongue is only for a moment.
12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
12:21 No harm happens to the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with trouble.
12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
12:23 A prudent person conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
12:24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the ①lazy hand will be put to forced labor.
▷ ①Lit idle
12:25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
But a good word makes it glad.
12:26 The righteous person is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
12:27 ①A lazy person does not ②roast his prey,
But the precious possession of a person is diligence.
▷ ①Lit An indolent ②Or catch
12:28 In the way of righteousness there is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.