Proverbs 12

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
But he who hates reproof is stupid.

2 A good man will obtain favor from the LORD,
But He will condemn a man who devises evil.

3 A man will not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous will not be moved.

4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him is like rottenness 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 lie in wait for blood,
But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

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

8 A man will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse mind will be despised.

9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant
Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.

10 A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.

12 The wicked man desires the booty of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will escape from trouble.

14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words,
And the deeds of a man's hands will return to him.

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

16 A fool's anger is known at once,
But a prudent man conceals dishonor.

17 He who speaks truth tells what is right,
But a false witness, deceit.

18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 Truthful lips will be established forever,
But a lying tongue is only for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.

21 No harm befalls the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with trouble.

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

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

24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the slack hand will be put to forced labor.

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

26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 A lazy man does not roast his prey,
But the precious possession of a man is diligence.

28 In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.

Proverbs 12

1 Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; But he that hateth reproof is brutish.

2 A good man shall obtain favor of Jehovah; But a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

3 A man shall not be established by wickedness; But the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

4 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband; But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

6 The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood; But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not; But the house of the righteous shall stand.

8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom; But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9 Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.

10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons is void of understanding.

12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men; But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13 In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man; But the righteous shall come out of trouble.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth; And the doings of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.

16 A fool’s vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.

17 He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness; But a false witness, deceit.

18 There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health.

19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; But to the counsellors of peace is joy.

21 There shall no mischief happen to the righteous; But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

22 Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; But they that deal truly are his delight.

23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; But the slothful shall be put under taskwork.

25 Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good word maketh it glad.

26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor; But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.

27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of men is to the diligent.

28 In the way of righteousness is life; And in the pathway thereof there is no death.