Proverbs 12

¹ Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is a brute.

² A good man obtains favor from the LORD,
but the man of evil schemes he condemns.

³ No one is established by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will not be moved.

⁴ An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones.

⁵ The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

⁶ The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,
but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

⁷ The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous will stand.

⁸ A man is praised in proportion to his wisdom,
but one with a twisted heart is despised.

⁹ Better to be lowly and have a servant
than to play the great man and lack bread.

¹⁰ A righteous man cares for the life of his animal,
but even the mercies of the wicked are cruel.

¹¹ Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.

¹² The wicked covets the plunder of evil men,
but the root of the righteous yields fruit.

¹³ An evil man is snared by the transgression of his lips,
but the righteous escapes from trouble.

¹⁴ From the fruit of his mouth a man is filled with good,
and what his hands do comes back to him.

¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to counsel.

¹⁶ The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but a prudent man conceals an insult.

¹⁷ Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness utters deceit.

¹⁸ There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only for a moment.

²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil,
but those who counsel peace have joy.

²¹ No ill befalls the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.

²² Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.

²³ A prudent man conceals his knowledge,
but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

²⁴ The hand of the diligent will rule,
but the slothful will be put to forced labor.

²⁵ Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down,
but a good word makes it glad.

²⁶ A righteous man is a guide to his neighbor,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

²⁷ A slothful man will not catch his prey,
but the diligent man will turn his hand to wealth.

²⁸ In the path of righteousness is life,
and in that pathway there is no death.