Open English Translation PROV Chapter 12

12 Anyone who loves discipline, loves knowledge,

^ but those who hate correction are stupid.

2 A good person receives favour from Yahweh,

^ but he will condemn the person with wicked plans.

3 No one can become established by means of wickedness,

^ but the foundations of righteous people can’t be moved.

4 A capable wife is the crown of her husband,

^ but a wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.

5 The plans of godly people are to do justice,

^ but wicked people lean towards deceit.

6 The words of wicked people lie in wait for blood,

^ but the speech of godly people rescues them.

7 The wicked get overthrown then disappear,

^ but the homes of godly people endure.

8 A person will be praised for their insightful words,

^ but anyone with a warped mind will end up despised.

9 It’s better to be little known yet have a servant,

than to be self-important but have nothing to eat.

10 A godly person cares for the life of their animal,

^ but wicked people display cruelty rather than compassion.

11 The person who tills the ground will have enough food,

^ but anyone chasing worthless things has the wrong values.

12 The wicked person covets evil gain,

^ but godly people produce like a deep-rooted tree.

13 An evil person entices others with their rebellious lips,

^ but godly people stay out of trouble.

14 A person will be rewarded with good things from the fruit of their mouth,

≈ and a person’s labour will be repaid to them by its results.

15 The fools’ paths seem like the right ones in their own eyes,

^ but a wise person listens to advice.

16 A fool’s anger is made known straightaway,

^ but a sensible person overlooks being disrespected.

17 Anyone who breathes out faithfulness, unashamedly says what’s right,

^ but a biased witness speaks deceitfully.

18 Some people speak recklessly, like a sword thrashing around,

^ but wise people bring healing with their words.

19 Lips that produce reliable words will always be trusted,

^ but a tongue that spurts out lies will be believed only for a moment.

20 Those who make evil plans, do it from a deceitful mind,

^ but those who promote peace, end up contented.

21 Trouble doesn’t come towards people who do what’s right,

^ but wicked people are full of distress.

22 Yahweh hates lying lips,

^ but he’s pleased by those who are trustworthy.

23 A sensible person doesn’t show off everything they know,

^ but foolish people like to proclaim their foolishness.

24 Those who work hard will rule,

^ but an idle person will become forced labour.

25 A person who’s full of anxiety gets weighed down by it,

^ but good news cheers them up.

26 A godly person keeps an eye on their neighbour,

^ but the ways of wicked people leads them astray.

27 A slack hunter doesn’t roast his kill,

^ but a diligent person values all their possessions.

28 Life can be found by following the path of doing what’s right,

≈ and there’s no death if you stay on the pathway.