Proverbs 12

₁Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but he who hates reproof is stupid.

₂A good man obtains favor from the Lord,

but a man of evil devices he condemns.

₃No one is established by wickedness,

but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

₄An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,

but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

₅The thoughts of the righteous are just;

the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

₆The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,

but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

₇The wicked are overthrown and are no more,

but the house of the righteous will stand.

₈A man is commended according to his good sense,

but one of twisted mind is despised.

₉Better to be lowly and have a servant

than to play the great man and lack bread.

₁₀Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,

but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

₁₁Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,

but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

₁₂Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers,

but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

₁₃An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,

but the righteous escapes from trouble.

₁₄From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,

and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.

₁₅The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

but a wise man listens to advice.

₁₆The vexation of a fool is known at once,

but the prudent ignores an insult.

₁₇Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,

but a false witness utters deceit.

₁₈There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

₁₉Truthful lips endure forever,

but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

₂₀Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,

but those who plan peace have joy.

₂₁No ill befalls the righteous,

but the wicked are filled with trouble.

₂₂Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

but those who act faithfully are his delight.

₂₃A prudent man conceals knowledge,

but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

₂₄The hand of the diligent will rule,

while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

₂₅Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,

but a good word makes him glad.

₂₆One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

₂₇Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,

but the diligent man will get precious wealth.

₂₈In the path of righteousness is life,

and in its pathway there is no death.