The Holy Bible – Knox Translation
The Book of Proverbs
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Chapter 12
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1
Ever the friend of admonition is the friend of knowledge; only fools are impa-tient of warning.
2
A kindly man wins the Lord’s favour, a schemer is his enemy.
3
Wickedness shall never thrive; the just have roots immovable.
4
Crowned is his brow, who wins a vigorous wife; sooner let thy bones rot than marry one who shames thee.
5
Honourable thoughts the just conceive, the wicked are all double-dealing;
6
yet, when the accusations of the wicked lay a fatal snare, the just shall find words to deliver them.
7
A turn in their fortunes, and no more is heard of the wicked; only the just have abiding prosperity.
8
Good sense is the measure of a man’s repute; fond fancies are ever despised.
9
Better be poor, and toil to support thyself, than play the great lord with an empty belly.
10
A just man cares for the safety of the beasts he owns; the wicked are heartless through and through.
11
Till field and fill belly; idle pursuits are but foolishness. (Sit long enjoying thy wine, and there is no strong fortress will win thee renown.✻ )
12
In unholy ambitions the wicked put their trust, but it is honesty that strikes deep root.
13
Ruin comes upon the sinner for a word spoken amiss, while honest men find acquittal.
14
When a man is blessed, it is his own words that bear fruit; never son of Adam but had the lot his deeds deserved.
15
A fool is ever right to his own thinking; the wise listen to advice.
16
Fools betray anger on the instant, when prudence would pass the insult by.
17
Nothing but his honest thought a lover of truth declares, a false witness nothing but lies.
18
Rash promises can stab the heart with remorse;✻ wise words bring healing.
19
Lips that speak the truth shall fade never; a lie serves but the haste of the moment.
20
The schemer’s thoughts dwell ever on treachery; for peace be all thy plotting, if thou wouldst have a contented heart.
21
Nothing can befall the just man to do him hurt; the wicked shall have their fill of mischief.
22
Lying lips the Lord cannot abide; keep faith if thou wouldst content him.
23
Prudence says less than it knows; the fool’s heart cannot contain its folly.
24
Busy hands, hands that shall bear the sceptre; idle hands, hands that shall bring tribute.
25
A heart bowed down with anxiety, how a kind word can refresh it!
26
It is well done to put up with loss for a neighbour’s need; the calculations of the sinner do but lead him astray.
27
Never yet did cunning achieve the gains it hoped for; a contented heart is precious as fine gold.✻
28
Wouldst thou attain life, honesty is the high road; by-way there is none but leads to death.
