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 .

³No one is established by wickedness , but the root of the righteous will never be moved .

⁴An excellent 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 deceitful .

⁶The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood , but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

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 twisted mind is despised .

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

¹⁰Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast , but the mercy of the wicked is cruel .

¹¹Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread , but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense .

¹²Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers , but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

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

¹⁴From the fruit of his mouth 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 ignores an insult .

¹⁷Whoever 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 forever , but a lying tongue is but for a moment .

²⁰Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil , but those who plan peace 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 knowledge , but the heart of fools proclaims 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 .

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

²⁷Whoever is slothful will not roast his game , but the diligent man will get precious wealth .

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