Proverbs 12

¹A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.

²A good man has grace in the eyes of the Lord; but the man of evil designs gets punishment from him.

³No man will make himself safe through evil-doing; but the root of upright men will never be moved.

⁴A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.

⁵The purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers are deceit.

⁶The words of sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.

⁷Evil-doers are overturned and never seen again, but the house of upright men will keep its place.

⁸A man will be praised in the measure of his wisdom, but a wrong-minded man will be looked down on.

⁹He who is of low position and has a servant, is better than one who has a high opinion of himself and is in need of bread.

¹⁰An upright man has thought for the life of his beast, but the hearts of evil-doers are cruel.

¹¹He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.

¹²The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.

¹³In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.

¹⁴From the fruit of his mouth will a man have good food in full measure, and the work of a man's hands will be rewarded.

¹⁵The way of the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.

¹⁶A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.

¹⁷The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.

¹⁸There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again.

¹⁹True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.

²⁰Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.

²¹No trouble will come to upright men, but sinners will be full of evil.

²²False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.

²³A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.

²⁴The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.

²⁵Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.

²⁶The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.

²⁷He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.

²⁸In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.

Proverbs 12

¹Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

²A good man shall obtain favor from the Lord, but he will condemn a man of wicked devices.

³A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

⁴A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.

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

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

⁷The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.

⁸A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.

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

¹⁰A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

¹¹He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.

¹²The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.

¹³An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.

¹⁴A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man's hands shall be rewarded to him.

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

¹⁶A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

¹⁷He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.

¹⁸There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.

¹⁹Truth's lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.

²⁰Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.

²¹No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.

²²Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who do the truth are his delight.

²³A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

²⁴The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.

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

²⁶A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

²⁷The slothful man doesn't roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.

²⁸In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.