Proverbs 12:17-28

¹⁷He that speaketh that, that he knoweth, is a judge of rightfulness; but he that lieth, is a guileful witness. (He who speaketh what he knoweth, is a just judge or is a judge of righteousness; but he who lieth, is a deceitful witness.)

¹⁸A man is that promiseth, and he is pricked as with the sword of conscience; but the tongue of wise men is health. (There is a person who speaketh, and his words cut like a sword; but the tongues of the wise give health.)

¹⁹The lip of truth shall be steadfast into without end; but he that is a sudden witness, maketh ready the tongue of leasing, (or but he who speaketh a ready answer, often haveth a lying tongue).

²⁰Guile is in the heart of them that think evils; but joy followeth them that make counsels of peace.

²¹Whatever befalleth to a just man, it shall not make him sorry; but wicked men shall be filled with evil. (Whatever befalleth to the righteous, shall not bring them sorrow, or grief; but the wicked shall be filled with evil.)

²²False lips is abomination to the Lord; but they that do faithfully, please him.

²³A fell man covereth knowing; and the heart of unwise men stirreth folly. (A clever person concealeth his knowledge; but the unwise tell out their foolishness.)

²⁴The hand of strong men shall have lordship; but the hand that is slow, shall serve to tributes. (The hand of the strong shall rule; but those who be lazy, shall become slaves.)

²⁵Mourning in the heart of a just man shall make him meek; and he shall be made glad by a good word. (Mourning in the heart of a righteous person shall make him weak; but he shall be made happy by a good, or by a kind, word.)

²⁶He that despiseth harm for a friend, is a just man; but the way of wicked men shall deceive them. (He who despiseth harm to a friend, is a righteous person; but the way of the wicked shall deceive them.)

²⁷A guileful man shall not find winning; and the substance of (a diligent) man shall be (equal to) the price of gold, that is, preciouser than gold. (A deceitful, or a lazy, person shall not find winning; but the substance, or the reward, of a diligent person shall be equal to the price of gold, that is, shall be more precious than gold.)

²⁸Life is in the path of rightwiseness (or Life is on the path of righteousness); but the wrong way leadeth to death.