1 W hoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof brutish.

Whoever loves instruction and correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is like a brute beast, stupid and indiscriminating.

2 T he good bringeth forth favour from Jehovah, And the man of wicked devices He condemneth.

A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked devices He condemns.

3 A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.

A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall never be moved.

4 A virtuous woman a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones one causing shame.

A virtuous and worthy wife is a crowning joy to her husband, but she who makes him ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

5 T he thoughts of the righteous justice, The counsels of the wicked -- deceit.

The thoughts and purposes of the righteous are honest and reliable, but the counsels and designs of the wicked are treacherous.

6 T he words of the wicked: `Lay wait for blood,' And the mouth of the upright delivereth them.

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them and the innocent ones.

7 O verthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous standeth.

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

8 A ccording to his wisdom is a man praised, And the perverted of heart becometh despised.

A man shall be commended according to his Wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9 B etter the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.

Better is he who is lightly esteemed but works for his own support than he who assumes honor for himself and lacks bread.

10 T he righteous knoweth the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked cruel.

A righteous man regards the life of his beast, but even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 W hoso is tilling the ground is satisfied bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,

He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits is lacking in sense and is without understanding.

12 T he wicked hath desired the net of evil doers, And the root of the righteous giveth.

The wicked desire the booty of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields.

13 I n transgression of the lips the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress.

The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.

14 F rom the fruit of the mouth one satisfied good, And the deed of man's hands returneth to him.

From the fruit of his words a man shall be satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hands shall come back to him.

15 T he way of a fool right in his own eyes, And whoso is hearkening to counsel wise.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise.

16 T he fool -- in a day is his anger known, And the prudent is covering shame.

A fool’s wrath is quickly and openly known, but a prudent man ignores an insult.

17 W hoso uttereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, And a false witness -- deceit.

He who breathes out truth shows forth righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), but a false witness utters deceit.

18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.

There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 T he lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment -- a tongue of falsehood.

Truthful lips shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 D eceit in the heart of those devising evil, And to those counselling peace joy.

Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but for the counselors of peace there is joy.

21 N o iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.

No evil, misfortune, or calamity shall come upon the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil, misfortune, and calamity.

22 A n abomination to Jehovah lying lips, And stedfast doers his delight.

Lying lips are extremely disgusting and hateful to the Lord, but they who deal faithfully are His delight.

23 A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.

A prudent man is reluctant to display his knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims their folly.

24 T he hand of the diligent ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary.

The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.

25 S orrow in the heart of a man boweth down, And a good word maketh him glad.

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.

26 T he righteous searcheth his companion, And the way of the wicked causeth them to err.

The righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked causes others to go astray.

27 T he slothful roasteth not his hunting, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.

The slothful man does not catch his game or roast it once he kills it, but the diligent man gets precious possessions.

28 I n the path of righteousness life, And in the way of path no death!

Life is in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), and in its pathway there is no death but immortality (perpetual, eternal life).