Proverbs 12:1–13:25

12 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,

But he who hates correction is stupid.

2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord,

But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

3 A man is not established by wickedness,

But the aroot of the righteous cannot be moved.

4 bAn 1excellent wife is the crown of her husband,

But she who causes shame is clike rottenness in his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are right,

But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

6 dThe words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”

eBut the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

7 fThe wicked are overthrown and are no more,

But the house of the righteous will stand.

8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom,

gBut he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

9 hBetter is the one who is 2slighted but has a servant,

Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

10 iA righteous man regards the life of his animal,

But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 jHe who 3tills his land will be satisfied with kbread,

But he who follows 4frivolity lis devoid of 5understanding.

12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men,

But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

13 mThe wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,

nBut the righteous will come through trouble.

14 oA man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,

pAnd the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.

15 qThe way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

But he who heeds counsel is wise.

16 rA fool’s wrath is known at once,

But a prudent man covers shame.

17 sHe who speaks truth declares righteousness,

But a false witness, deceit.

18 tThere is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,

But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

19 The truthful lip shall be established forever,

uBut a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,

But counselors of peace have joy.

21 vNo grave 6trouble will overtake the righteous,

But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

22 wLying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

23 xA prudent man conceals knowledge,

But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

24 yThe hand of the diligent will rule,

But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

25 zAnxiety in the heart of man causes depression,

But aa good word makes it glad.

26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully,

For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,

But diligence is man’s precious possession.

28 In the way of righteousness is life,

And in its pathway there is no death.

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,

aBut a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

2 bA man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,

But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.

3 cHe who guards his mouth preserves his life,

But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

4 dThe soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;

But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

5 A righteous man hates lying,

But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.

6 eRighteousness guards him whose way is blameless,

But wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7 fThere is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;

And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.

8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,

But the poor does not hear rebuke.

9 The light of the righteous rejoices,

gBut the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

10 By pride comes nothing but hstrife,

But with the well-advised is wisdom.

11 iWealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,

But he who gathers by labor will increase.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

But jwhen the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

13 He who kdespises the word will be destroyed,

But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.

14 lThe law of the wise is a fountain of life,

To turn one away from mthe snares of death.

15 Good understanding 1gains nfavor,

But the way of the unfaithful is hard.

16 oEvery prudent man acts with knowledge,

But a fool lays open his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

But pa faithful ambassador brings health.

18 Poverty and shame will come to him who 2disdains correction,

But qhe who regards a rebuke will be honored.

19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,

But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,

But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

21 rEvil pursues sinners,

But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,

But sthe wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

23 tMuch food is in the 3fallow ground of the poor,

And for lack of justice there is 4waste.

24 uHe who spares his rod hates his son,

But he who loves him disciplines him 5promptly.

25 vThe righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,

But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.