Proverbs

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

1Anyone who loves being taught loves knowing things. But the person who hates being corrected is acting like an animal.

Note"Brutish" in 1611 English meant acting like a beast, without sense. It does not mean rough or violent.

2A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

2A good person receives kindness from the LORD. But the LORD condemns a person who plans evil.

3A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

3No one builds a lasting life by doing wrong. But good people have roots that cannot be pulled up.

4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

4A wife of strong character is like a crown her husband wears. But a wife who brings shame is like decay in his bones.

5The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

5The plans good people make are fair. But the advice of wicked people is meant to trick you.

6The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

6The words of wicked people wait in hiding to kill. But the words of honest people save lives.

7The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

7Wicked people are knocked down and gone. But the household of good people keeps standing.

8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

8People praise a person for being wise. But a person with a twisted mind is looked down on.

9He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

9It is better to be seen as unimportant and still have a servant, than to brag about yourself and have no food.

10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

10A good person takes care of his animals. But even the kindest acts of wicked people are cruel.

11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

11The person who works his fields will have plenty to eat. But the person who chases empty dreams has no sense.

12The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

12Wicked people want the goods that evil men have stolen. But the roots of good people keep growing.

13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

13An evil person gets trapped by his own sinful words. But a person who does right escapes from trouble.

14A 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.

14Good words fill a person's life with good things. And the work of his hands comes back to him.

15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

15A fool thinks his own way is right. But a wise person listens to advice.

16A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

16A fool shows his anger right away. But a careful person lets an insult pass.

Note"Presently" in the KJV means right away, not later. And "covereth shame" means he overlooks the insult instead of hiding his own wrongdoing.

17He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

17A person who tells the truth says what is right. But a lying witness says what is false.

18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

18Careless words stab like a sword. But the words of the wise bring healing.

19The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

19Truthful words last forever. But a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

20Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

20Those who plan evil have tricks in their hearts. But those who work for peace have joy.

21There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

21No harm comes to those who do right. But wicked people are filled with trouble.

22Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

22The LORD hates lying lips. But he is delighted with people who deal honestly.

23A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

23A careful person keeps what he knows to himself. But a foolish heart announces its foolishness.

24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

24Hard-working hands will be in charge. But laziness ends in forced labor.

Note"Under tribute" means being forced to work for someone else, or being made to pay what you owe with labor.

25Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

25Worry weighs a person's heart down. But a kind word makes it glad.

26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

26A good person is careful about whom he calls a friend. But the path of the wicked leads them astray.

27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

27A lazy man does not even cook the animal he hunted. But a hard worker treasures what he has.

28In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

28There is life on the road of doing right. Along that path there is no death.