Proverbs 12
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.
2 The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.
A good man has grace in the eyes of the Lord; but the man of evil designs gets punishment from him.
3 A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
No man will make himself safe through evil-doing; but the root of upright men will never be moved.
4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.
A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.
The purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
The words of sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.
7 The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.
Evil-doers are overturned and never seen again, but the house of upright men will keep its place.
8 A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.
A man will be praised in the measure of his wisdom, but a wrong-minded man will be looked down on.
9 Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.
He who is of low position and has a servant, is better than one who has a high opinion of himself and is in need of bread.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
An upright man has thought for the life of his beast, but the hearts of evil-doers are cruel.
11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.
12 The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.
13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.
14 By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him.
From the fruit of his mouth will a man have good food in full measure, and the work of a man's hands will be rewarded.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.
The way of the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.
16 A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.
17 He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.
18 Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.
Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.
21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
No trouble will come to upright men, but sinners will be full of evil.
22 Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.
False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.
23 A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.
26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.
The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.
27 A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.
He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.
28 There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.
In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.
