Proverbs 12:23–13:9

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.