Proverbs 12

¹Whoever loves correction loves knowledge,

but he who hates reproof is stupid.

²A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh,

but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.

³A man shall not be established by wickedness,

but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

⁴A worthy woman is the crown of her husband,

but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.

⁵The thoughts of the righteous are just,

but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

⁶The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood,

but the speech of the upright rescues them.

⁷The wicked are overthrown, and are no more,

but the house of the righteous shall stand.

⁸A man shall be commended according to his wisdom,

but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.

⁹Better is he who is little known, and has a servant,

than he who honors himself and lacks bread.

¹⁰A righteous man respects the life of his animal,

but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

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

but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.

¹²The wicked desires the plunder of evil men,

but the root of the righteous flourishes.

¹³An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips,

but the righteous shall come out of trouble.

¹⁴A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth.

The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.

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

but he who is wise listens to counsel.

¹⁶A fool shows his annoyance the same day,

but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

¹⁷He who is truthful testifies honestly,

but a false witness lies.

¹⁸There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword,

but the tongue of the wise heals.

¹⁹Truth’s lips will be established forever,

but a lying tongue is only momentary.

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

but joy comes to the promoters of peace.

²¹No mischief shall happen to the righteous,

but the wicked shall be filled with evil.

²²Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh,

but those who do the truth are his delight.

²³A prudent man keeps his knowledge,

but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

²⁴The hands of the diligent ones shall rule,

but laziness ends in slave labor.

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

but a kind word makes it glad.

²⁶A righteous person is cautious in friendship,

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

²⁷The slothful man doesn’t roast his game,

but the possessions of diligent men are prized.

²⁸In the way of righteousness is life;

in its path there is no death.