Proverbs 12

1 Whoever loves [has affection for, is devoted to] discipline [correction, instruction] loves [is committed to, has a strong affection for] knowledge [understanding, wisdom], but he who hates [feels intense dislike for, rejects] correction [rebuke, reproof] is stupid [brutish, lacking sense]. word study 2 The good [pleasant, beneficial] man obtains [receives, secures] favor [acceptance, delight] from the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], but the LORD [the supreme Judge] condemns [punishes, rejects] a man [an individual, a male person] who devises [plots, plans] evil [wickedness, wrong]. word study 3 A man [human being, individual] cannot be established [set up, made secure] through [by means of] wickedness [immoral actions, evil deeds], but the righteous [just, upright ones] cannot be uprooted [shaken, moved from their foundation]. word study 4 A wife [woman of virtue, virtuous] of noble character [strength, might, power] is her husband’s [master, owner] crown [royal crown], but she who causes [brings, makes] shame [guilt, disappointment] is like decay [rottenness, corruption] in his bones [body, essence]. word study 5 The plans [thoughts, purposes] of the righteous [just, upright] are just [right], but the counsel [guidance, advice] of the wicked [morally wrong, bad] leads to deceit [deception, cheating]. word study 6 The words [of lying in wait, to ambush] of the wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin] lie in wait [to lay wait, to ambush] for blood [the liquid that flows through the body], but the speech [mouth, lips, or edge] of the upright [straight, just, righteous] rescues [to deliver, to snatch away] them. word study 7 The [morally wrong, guilty of sin] wicked [evil-doers, those who oppose God] are overthrown [destroyed, turned upside down] and perish [are no more, cease to exist], but the house [dwelling place, family] of the [just, righteous in God’s eyes] righteous [those who are upright, made right with God] will stand [remain firm, endure]. word study 8 A man [male person, individual] is praised [commended, celebrated] according to his wisdom [understanding, intelligence], but a twisted [perverse, warped] mind [heart, intellect] is despised [held in contempt, looked down on]. word study 9 Better [more desirable, preferable] to be lightly esteemed [despised, of low position] yet have a servant [slave, one who serves], than to be self-important [honoring oneself, boastful] but lack [be in need of, destitute of] food [bread, necessities]. word study 10 A righteous [just, morally upright] man regards [knows, has concern for] the life [soul, living being] of his animal [beast, livestock], but the tender mercies [compassion, womb of love] of the wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin] are only [truly, in reality] cruelty [harsh, unkind]. word study 11 The one who works [tills, cultivates] his land [the earth, soil] will have plenty of food [bread, sustenance], but whoever chases [pursues, follows after] fantasies [worthless things, empty pursuits] lacks [is void of, is without] judgment [understanding, discernment]. word study 12 The [morally wrong, guilty of crime] wicked [a bad person] desire [to take great pleasure in, like a precious treasure] the plunder [net, spoils] of evil [bad, harmful] men, but the root [source, foundation] of the righteous [just, made right with God] flourishes [yields fruit, prospers]. word study 13 An evil [bad, wicked] man is trapped [snared, caught] by his rebellious [transgressing, sinful] speech [lips, language], but a righteous [just, upright] man escapes [comes out, is delivered] from trouble [distress, adversity, dearth]. word study 14 By fruitful [producing good results, from the fruit of his mouth] speech a man [individual, person] is filled [satisfied, to have enough] with good [pleasant, beneficial] things, and the work [deeds, actions] of his hands [strength, direction] returns [to turn back, to come again] to him [as a recompense, reward]. word study 15 The way [road or path, manner of life] of a fool [stupid person, one who despises wisdom] is right [straight, just, convenient] in his own eyes [source of perception, understanding], but a wise [intelligent, skilled, prudent] man listens [hears and obeys, gives attention] to counsel [advice, plan, purpose, guidance]. word study 16 A [foolish, stupid] fool’s [vexation, anger] anger [is known at once, is presently shown] is known at once, but a prudent [sensible] man [covereth, concealeth, overlooks] overlooks an insult [shame, dishonor]. word study 17 He who speaks [utters, breathes out] the truth [faithfulness] declares [tells, testifies] what is right [righteousness], but a false [deceitful, dishonest] witness [testifier, one who gives testimony] speaks [tells, gives out] deceit [deception, falsehood]. word study 18 Speaking [thoughtlessly, without consideration] rashly [like the piercings of a sword] is like a piercing [cutting, thrusting] sword, but the tongue [language, speech] of the wise [intelligent, discerning] brings [provides, administers] healing [restoration, health]. word study 19 Truthful [faithful, honest] lips [language, words] endure [are established, stand firm] forever [perpetually, for all eternity], but a lying [deceptive, false] tongue [speech, language] lasts [remains, endures] only a moment [briefly, for a short time]. word study 20 Deceit [trickery, cheating] is in the hearts [minds, feelings, and will] of those who devise [plan, plot, imagine] evil [bad, morally wrong], but the counselors [advisers, planners] of peace [completeness, wellness, friendship] have joy [gladness, happiness, celebration]. word study 21 No [absence of, none] harm [evil, mischief] befalls [meets, comes upon] the righteous [just, upright], but the wicked [morally wrong, guilty] are filled [made full, complete] with trouble [evil, adversity]. word study 22 Lying [false, deceptive] lips [language, speech] are detestable [an abomination, hateful] to the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God], but those who deal [act, make] faithfully [with faithfulness, trustworthiness] are His [God’s, the Lord’s] delight [acceptance, pleasure]. word study 23 A [prudent, wise] shrewd man [the prudent one] keeps [conceals, covers] his [divine, spiritual] knowledge [daath, understanding] to himself [in his heart], but a foolish [stupid] heart [leb, feelings and intellect] proclaims [calls out, declares] its [own, inherent] folly [foolishness, silliness]. word study 24 The hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share] of the diligent [hardworking, industrious] will rule [to have power over, govern], but laziness [slackness, idleness] ends in forced labor [taskwork, tribute, slavery]. word study 25 Anxiety [heaviness, sorrow, or care] weighs down [bows down, depresses] the heart [feelings, will, and intellect] of a man [a male person, individual], but a good [pleasant, beneficial] word [thing, matter] cheers [rejoices, makes glad] it up. word study 26 A righteous [just, morally upright] man is cautious [careful, discerning] in friendship [neighborly relationships, companionship], but the ways [path, manner of life] of the wicked [morally wrong, sinful] lead them astray [to go astray, wander in error]. word study 27 A lazy [slothful, idle] man does not roast [braid or catch, as in hunting] his game [wild game, provisions], but a diligent [hardworking, industrious] man prizes [values, considers precious] his possession [substance, wealth, precious treasure]. word study 28 There is life [eternal, spiritual] in the path [way, journey] of righteousness [justice, virtue, morality], but another path [road, manner of life] leads to death [separation, eternal darkness]. word study