Proverbs, 12

¹ The one who loves discipline loves knowledge, But the one who hates reproof is unreasoning.^*1

² The good person obtains Jehovah’s approval, But He condemns the man of wicked schemes.

³ No man is made secure by wickedness, But the righteous will never be uprooted.

⁴ A capable wife is a crown to her husband, But the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.

⁵ The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the guidance of the wicked is deceptive.

⁶ The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,^*1 But the mouth of the upright saves them.

⁷ When the wicked are overthrown, they are no more, But the house of the righteous will keep standing.

⁸ A man is praised for the discretion of his mouth, But one with a twisted heart will be treated with contempt.

⁹ Better to be lightly esteemed and have a servant Than to glorify oneself and have no food.^*1

¹⁰ The righteous one takes care of his domestic animals,^*1 But even the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

¹¹ The one who cultivates his land will be satisfied with food, But the one pursuing worthless things is lacking good sense.^*1

¹² The wicked man envies what other evil men have caught, But the root of the righteous bears fruit.

¹³ The evil man is ensnared by his own sinful speech, But the righteous one escapes from distress.

¹⁴ From the fruitage of his speech^*1 a man is satisfied with good, And the work of his hands will reward him.

¹⁵ The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, But the wise one accepts advice.^*1

¹⁶ A fool immediately^*1 shows his annoyance, But the shrewd man overlooks^*2 an insult.

¹⁷ The one who testifies faithfully will tell the truth,^*1 But a false witness speaks deceit.

¹⁸ Thoughtless speech is like the stabs of a sword, But the tongue of the wise is a healing.

¹⁹ Truthful lips will endure forever, But a lying tongue will last for only a moment.

²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of those who plot mischief, But those who promote^*1 peace have joy.

²¹ No harm will befall the righteous one, But the wicked will have their fill of calamity.

²² Lying lips are detestable to Jehovah, But those acting faithfully bring pleasure to him.

²³ A shrewd man conceals what he knows, But the heart of the fool blurts out his foolishness.

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

²⁵ Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,^*1 But a good word cheers it up.

²⁶ The righteous one searches out his pastures, But the course of the wicked leads them astray.

²⁷ The lazy do not chase after the prey, But diligence is a man’s precious treasure.

²⁸ The path of righteousness leads to life; Along its pathway there is no death.