Proverbs 12

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

2 Good people obtain favor from the Lord,
but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.

3 No one can be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

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

7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous stands firm.

8 People are praised according to their prudence,
and those with warped minds are despised.

9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

12 The wicked desire the plunder of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous flourishes.

13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,
and so the innocent escape trouble.

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,
and the work of their hands brings them reward.

15 The way of fools seems right to them,
but the wise listen to advice.

16 Fools show their annoyance at once,
but the prudent overlook an insult.

17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a false witness tells lies.

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

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

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

21 No harm overtakes the righteous,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22 The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,
but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.

24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.

25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up.

26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 The lazy do not roast any game,
but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

28 In the way of righteousness there is life;
along that path is immortality.

PROVERBS 12

You Can't Hide //behind Evil

1  t To accept correction is wise,
to reject it is stupid.

2 The [Lord] likes everyone
who lives right,
but he punishes everyone
who makes evil plans.

3 Sin cannot offer security!
But if you live right,
you will be as secure
as a tree with deep roots.

4 A helpful wife is a jewel
for her husband,
but a shameless wife
will make his bones rot.

5 Good people have kind thoughts,
but you should never trust
the advice of someone evil.

6 Bad advice is a deadly trap,
but good advice
is like a shield.

7 Once the wicked are defeated,
they are gone forever,
but no one who obeys God
will ever be thrown down.

8 Good sense is worthy of praise,
but stupidity is a curse.

9 It's better to be ordinary
and have only one servantt
than to think you are somebody
and starve to death.

10 Good people are kind
to their animals,
but a mean person is cruel.

11 Hard working farmers have more
than enough food;
daydreamers are nothing more
than stupid fools.

12 An evil person tries to hide
behind evil;t
good people are like trees
with deep roots.

13 We trap ourselves
by telling lies,
but we stay out of trouble
by living right.

14 We are rewarded or punished
for what we say and do.

15 Fools think they know
what is best,
but a sensible person
listens to advice.

16 Losing your temper is foolish;
ignoring an insult is smart.

17 An honest person
tells the truth in court,
but a dishonest person
tells nothing but lies.

18 Sharp words cut like a sword,
but words of wisdom heal.

19 Truth will last forever;
lies are soon found out.

20 An evil mind is deceitful,
but gentle thoughts
bring happiness.

21 Good people never have trouble,
but troublemakers
have more than enough.

22 The [Lord] hates every liar,
but he is the friend of all
who can be trusted.

23 Be sensible and don't tell
everything you know—
only fools spread
foolishness everywhere.

24 Work hard, and you
will be a leader;
be lazy, and you
will end up a slave.

25 Worry is a heavy burden,
but a kind word
always brings cheer.

26 You are better off to do right,
than to lose your way
by doing wrong.t

27 Anyone too lazy to cook
will starve,
but a hard worker
is a valuable treasure.t

28 Living right is a pathway
that leads to life
and away from death.