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.

³A man is not established by wickedness,

but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

⁴A good 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 treacherous.

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

but the mouth of the upright delivers men.

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 perverse mind is despised.

⁹Better is a man of humble standing who works for himself

than one who plays the great man but lacks bread.

¹⁰A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast,

but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

¹¹He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,

but he who follows worthless pursuits has no sense.

¹²The strong tower of the wicked comes to ruin,

but the root of the righteous stands firm.

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

but the righteous escapes from trouble.

¹⁴From the fruit of his words 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 man ignores an insult.

¹⁷He who 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 for ever,

but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

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

but those who plan good 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 his knowledge,

but fools proclaim their 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.

²⁶A righteous man turns away from evil,

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

²⁷A slothful man will not catch his prey,

but the diligent man will get precious wealth.

²⁸In the path of righteousness is life,

but the way of error leads to death.