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The Proverbs

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- Chapter 12 -

Instruction and knowledge

1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. But whoever hates correction is unwise.
2
Whoever is good shall draw grace from the Lord. But whoever trusts in his own thoughts acts impiously.
3
Man will not be made strong from impiety. And the root of the just shall not be moved.
4
A diligent woman is a crown to her husband. And she who acts with confusion as to which things are worthy is decay to his bones.
5
The thoughts of the just are judgments. And the counsels of the impious are dishonest.
6
The words of the impious lie in wait for blood. The mouth of the just shall free them.
7
Turn from the impious, and they will not be. But the house of the just shall stand firm.
8
A man will be known by his doctrine. But whoever is vain and heartless will suffer contempt.(a)

Concern for the life of the livestock and the land

9
Better is a pauper who has what he needs, than someone glorious and in need of bread.
10
The just one knows the lives of his beasts. But the inner most parts of the impious are cruel.(b)
11
Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever continually pursues leisure is most foolish. Whoever is soothed by lingering over wine leaves behind contempt in his strongholds.(c)
12
The desire of the impious is the fortification of what is most wicked. But the root of the just shall prosper.
13
For the sins of the lips draw ruin to the evil. But the just shall escape from distress.
14
By the fruit of his own mouth, each one shall be filled with good things, and according to the works of his own hands, it will be distributed to him.

Wise and foolish

15
The way of the foolish is right in his own eyes. But whoever is wise listens to counsels.
16
The senseless immediately reveals his anger. But whoever ignores injuries is clever.
17
He is a sign of justice, who speaks what he knows. But whoever deceives is a dishonest witness.
18
He who makes promises is also jabbed, as if with a sword, in conscience. But the tongue of the wise is reasonable.
19
The lips of truth shall be steadfast forever. But a hasty witness readies a lying tongue.
20
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evils. But gladness follows those who take up counsels of peace.
21
Whatever may befall the just, it will not discourage him. But the impious will be filled with disasters.
22
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. But whoever acts faithfully pleases him.
23
A resourceful man conceals knowledge. And the heart of the unwise provokes foolishness.
24
The hand of the strong will rule. But anyone who is neglectful will pay tribute.
25
Grief in the heart of a man humbles him. And with a good word he shall be made glad.
26
He who ignores a loss for the sake of a friend is just. But the way of the impious will deceive them.
27
The dishonest will not discover gain. But the substance of a man will be like precious gold.(d)
28
In the path of justice, there is life. But the devious way leads to death.

Footnotes

(a)12:8 Now I know that ‘excors’ often is translated as ‘silly’ or ‘stupid,’ but the root of the word ‘excordis’ is ‘cordis’, which means ‘of the heart.’ And the word ‘heart’ can often refer to understanding and compassion, not merely to feelings. So, ‘excors’ translated as ‘heartless’ conveys the meaning of the verse better than ‘silly’ or ‘stupid.’(Conte)
(b)12:10 Or, ‘but the impious are cruel to their inner most parts.’(Conte)
(c)12:11 The last part of this verse is in the Latin Vulgate and the Douay, but not in some other versions.(Conte)
(d)12:27 The Challoner revision reads ‘a just man’ rather than merely ‘a man’. This may be due to a looser translation, or perhaps it represents differences in the source text.(Conte)

Instruction and knowledge

1
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2
A good man shall obtain favor from the LORD, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.
3
A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4
A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.
5
The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6
The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7
The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.

Concern for the life of the livestock and the land

9
Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honors himself and lacks bread.
10
A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11
He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
12
The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13
An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
14
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.

Wise and foolish

15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.
16
A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
17
He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.
18
There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
19
Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
20
Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
21
No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who do the truth are his delight.
23
A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
24
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
25
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
26
A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27
The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
28
In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.
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