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12 Anyone who loves ·learning [knowledge] ·accepts [L loves] ·correction [instruction; discipline],
but a person who hates being corrected is stupid.

The Lord ·is pleased with [favors] a good person,
but he will ·punish [condemn] ·anyone who plans evil [schemers].

Doing evil brings no safety at all,
but ·a good person has safety and security [L the root of the righteous will not be disturbed].

A ·good [noble] wife is like a crown for her husband,
but a disgraceful wife is like ·a disease [rot] in his bones.

The plans that ·good [righteous] people make are ·fair [just],
but the ·advice [guidance] of the wicked will ·trick [deceive; defraud] you.

The ·wicked talk about killing people [L words of the wicked are a murderous ambush/ambush of blood],
but the ·words [mouth] of ·good [righteous] people will save them.

Wicked people ·die [are overturned] and they are no more,
but a ·good [righteous] person’s ·family [L house] ·continues [endures].

The ·wisdom [insight] of the wise wins praise,
but there is ·no respect [shame] for the ·stupid [warped; distressed mind/heart].

A person who is ·not important [belittled; of low regard; ordinary] but has a servant is better off
than someone who ·acts [or is thought] ·important [honorable] but has no food.

10 ·Good [Righteous] people ·take care [L know the desires] of their animals,
but even the ·kindest [most compassionate] acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 Those who work their land will have plenty of food,
but the one who chases ·empty dreams [emptiness] ·is not wise [lacks sense/heart].

12 The wicked ·want [covet; desire] ·what other evil people have stolen [or the catch/prey of the evil],
but ·good [L the root of righteous] people ·want to give what they have to others [or endures].

13 Evil people are trapped by their ·evil [offensive] talk,
but ·good [righteous] people ·stay out of trouble [escape from distress].

14 People will be rewarded for ·what they say [L the fruit of their mouth],
and they will also be rewarded for ·what they do [L the work of their hands].

15 ·Fools think they are doing right [L The path of fools is virtuous/right in their own eyes],
but the wise listen to advice.

16 Fools quickly show that they are upset,
but the ·wise [prudent] ·ignore [conceal; hide] ·insults [contempt].

17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a dishonest witness tells lies.

18 ·Careless [Chattering] words stab like a sword,
but ·wise words bring [L a wise tongue brings] healing.

19 ·Truth [L Truthful lips] will continue forever,
but ·lies are [L a lying tongue lasts] only for a moment.

20 Those who plan evil are full of ·lies [deceit],
but those who ·plan [advise] peace are happy.

21 No harm comes to a ·good [righteous] person,
but an evil person’s life is full of trouble.

22 The Lord ·hates [detests] ·those who tell lies [false lips]
but ·is pleased with [favors] those who ·keep their promises [do what is true].

23 ·Wise [Prudent] people ·keep what they know to themselves [L conceal/hide their knowledge],
but ·fools can’t keep from showing how foolish they are [L the heart of fools proclaim their stupidity].

24 Hard workers will ·become leaders [be in charge],
but those who are lazy will be ·slaves [put to forced labor].

25 ·Worry [Anxiety] ·is a heavy load [leads to depression],
but a ·kind [good] word cheers you up.

26 ·Good [Righteous] people ·take advice from their friends [or show the way to their friends/neighbors],
but ·an evil person is easily led to do wrong [or the path of the evil person makes them wander].

27 The lazy ·catch no food to cook [L do not roast their prey],
but a hard worker will have great wealth.

28 Doing what is right is the way to life,
but there is another way that leads to death.

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

Good people obtain favor from the Lord,(B)
    but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.(C)

No one can be established through wickedness,
    but the righteous cannot be uprooted.(D)

A wife of noble character(E) is her husband’s crown,
    but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.(F)

The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.(G)

The wicked are overthrown and are no more,(H)
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.(I)

A person is praised according to their prudence,
    and one with a warped(J) mind is despised.

Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
    than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,(K)
    but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies have no sense.(L)

12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous endures.

13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,(M)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.(N)

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(O)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.(P)

15 The way of fools seems right to them,(Q)
    but the wise listen to advice.(R)

16 Fools(S) show their annoyance at once,(T)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.(U)

17 An honest witness tells the truth,
    but a false witness tells lies.(V)

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,(W)
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(X)

19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

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

21 No harm overtakes the righteous,(Z)
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22 The Lord detests lying lips,(AA)
    but he delights(AB) in people who are trustworthy.(AC)

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,(AD)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.(AE)

24 Diligent hands will rule,
    but laziness ends in forced labor.(AF)

25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(AG)
    but a kind word cheers it up.

26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.(AH)

27 The lazy do not roast[a] any game,
    but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

28 In the way of righteousness there is life;(AI)
    along that path is immortality.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.

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.