Proverbs 12

If You Love Learning

1 If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it— how shortsighted to refuse correction!
2 A good person basks in the delight of God, and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.
3 You can't find firm footing in a swamp, but life rooted in God stands firm.
4 A hearty wife invigorates her husband, but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones.
5 The thinking of principled people makes for justice; the plots of degenerates corrupt.
6 The words of the wicked kill; the speech of the upright saves.
7 Wicked people fall to pieces—there's nothing to them; the homes of good people hold together.
8 A person who talks sense is honored; airheads are held in contempt.
9 Better to be ordinary and work for a living than act important and starve in the process.
10 Good people are good to their animals; the "good-hearted" bad people kick and abuse them.
11 The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies.
12 What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin, while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life.

Wise People Take Advice

13 The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.
14 Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward.
15 Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.
16 Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly shrug off insults.
17 Truthful witness by a good person clears the air, but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.
18 Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise.
19 Truth lasts; lies are here today, gone tomorrow.
20 Evil scheming distorts the schemer; peace-planning brings joy to the planner.
21 No evil can overwhelm a good person, but the wicked have their hands full of it.
22 God can't stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word.
23 Prudent people don't flaunt their knowledge; talkative fools broadcast their silliness.
24 The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.
25 Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.
26 A good person survives misfortune, but a wicked life invites disaster.
27 A lazy life is an empty life, but "early to rise" gets the job done.
28 Good men and women travel right into life; sin's detours take you straight to hell.

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.