12:5

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

5a
The plans of the righteous are just,

5b but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.

12:5a

The plans of the righteous are just: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as plans is literally “thoughts.” Most English versions translate it that way. The word can be used in the bad sense of “schemes” (see 6:18a), but here it is used in a good sense. A righteous person thinks or plans what will be fair or just to others.

The word righteous here is plural in Hebrew. In 12:10a, it is singular. Both words refer to righteous people in general. You may use either singular or plural in your language, depending on what is more natural.

Some versions use “you” pronouns in this verse, so the writer seems to address the readers or audience directly. For example:

Honest people will treat you fairly (Good News Translation)

Other versions do not address the readers directly. For example:

The plans that good people make are fair (New Century Version)

Use a natural way in your language to translate this kind of proverb.

12:5b

but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit: The counsel or advice of the wicked is intended to deceive others. Some ways to translate this line using the pronoun “you” are:

the wicked only want to deceive you (Good News Translation)
-or-
but you should never trust the advice of someone evil (Contemporary English Version)

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