Proverbs 12

¹To learn, you must love discipline;

it is stupid to hate correction.

²The Lord approves of those who are good,

but he condemns those who plan wickedness.

³Wickedness never brings stability,

but the godly have deep roots.

⁴A worthy wife is a crown for her husband,

but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.

⁵The plans of the godly are just;

the advice of the wicked is treacherous.

⁶The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,

but the words of the godly save lives.

⁷The wicked die and disappear,

but the family of the godly stands firm.

⁸A sensible person wins admiration,

but a warped mind is despised.

⁹Better to be an ordinary person with a servant

than to be self-important but have no food.

¹⁰The godly care for their animals,

but the wicked are always cruel.

¹¹A hard worker has plenty of food,

but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.

¹²Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,

but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.

¹³The wicked are trapped by their own words,

but the godly escape such trouble.

¹⁴Wise words bring many benefits,

and hard work brings rewards.

¹⁵Fools think their own way is right,

but the wise listen to others.

¹⁶A fool is quick-tempered,

but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

¹⁷An honest witness tells the truth;

a false witness tells lies.

¹⁸Some people make cutting remarks,

but the words of the wise bring healing.

¹⁹Truthful words stand the test of time,

but lies are soon exposed.

²⁰Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;

joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

²¹No harm comes to the godly,

but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

²²The Lord detests lying lips,

but he delights in those who tell the truth.

²³The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,

but fools broadcast their foolishness.

²⁴Work hard and become a leader;

be lazy and become a slave.

²⁵Worry weighs a person down;

an encouraging word cheers a person up.

²⁶The godly give good advice to their friends;^a

the wicked lead them astray.

²⁷Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch,

but the diligent make use of everything they find.

²⁸The way of the godly leads to life;

that path does not lead to death.