Proverbs 12

12Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,

But he who hates correction is stupid.

²A good man obtains favor from the Lord,

But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

³A man is not established by wickedness,

But the ^aroot of the righteous cannot be moved.

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

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

⁵The thoughts of the righteous are right,

But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

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

^eBut the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

^7fThe wicked are overthrown and are no more,

But the house of the righteous will stand.

⁸A man will be commended according to his wisdom,

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

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

Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

¹⁰ⁱA righteous man regards the life of his animal,

But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

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

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

¹²The wicked covet the catch of evil men,

But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

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

ⁿBut the righteous will come through trouble.

^14oA 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.

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

But he who heeds counsel is wise.

^16rA fool’s wrath is known at once,

But a prudent man covers shame.

^17sHe who speaks truth declares righteousness,

But a false witness, deceit.

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

But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

¹⁹The truthful lip shall be established forever,

^uBut a lying tongue is but for a moment.

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

But counselors of peace have joy.

^21vNo grave ⁶trouble will overtake the righteous,

But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

^22wLying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

^23xA prudent man conceals knowledge,

But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

^24yThe hand of the diligent will rule,

But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

^25zAnxiety in the heart of man causes depression,

But ^aa good word makes it glad.

²⁶The righteous should choose his friends carefully,

For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

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

But diligence is man’s precious possession.

²⁸In the way of righteousness is life,

And in its pathway there is no death.