12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.(A)

One who is good obtains favor from the Lord,(B)
but he condemns a person who schemes.(C)

No one can be made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous is immovable.(D)

A wife of noble character[a] is her husband’s crown,(E)
but a wife who causes shame
is like rottenness in his bones.(F)

The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but guidance from the wicked is deceitful.

The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,(G)
but the speech of the upright rescues them.(H)

The wicked are overthrown and perish,(I)
but the house of the righteous will stand.(J)

A man is praised for his insight,
but a twisted mind is despised.

Better to be disregarded, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.(K)

10 The righteous cares about his animal’s health,(L)
but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,(M)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.(N)

12 The wicked desire what evil people have caught,[b]
but the root of the righteous is productive.

13 By rebellious speech an evil person is trapped,(O)
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.(P)

14 A person will be satisfied with good
by the fruit of his mouth,(Q)
and the work of a person’s hands will reward him.(R)

15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,(S)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.(T)

17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness speaks deceit.(U)

18 There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;(V)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(W)

19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.(X)

20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(Y)

21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,(Z)
but the wicked are full of misery.

22 Lying lips are detestable to the Lord,(AA)
but faithful people are his delight.(AB)

23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.(AC)

24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.(AD)

25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(AE)

26 A righteous person is careful in dealing with his neighbor,[c]
but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.(AF)

27 A lazy hunter doesn’t roast his game,(AG)
but to a diligent person, his wealth is precious.(AH)

28 There is life in the path of righteousness,
and in its path there is no death.[d](AI)

Footnotes

  1. 12:4 Or A wife of quality, or A wife of good character
  2. 12:12 Or desire a stronghold of evil
  3. 12:26 Or person guides his neighbor
  4. 12:28 Or righteousness, but the crooked way leads to death

12 Whoever loves strong teaching loves much learning, but he who hates strong words is foolish.

A good man will get favor from the Lord, but He will punish a man who makes sinful plans.

A man will not stand by doing what is wrong, but the root of those who are right with God will not be moved.

A good wife is the pride and joy of her husband, but she who brings shame is like cancer to his bones.

The thoughts of those who are right with God can be trusted, but the words of the sinful are false.

The words of the sinful lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the faithful will take them away from trouble.

The sinful are destroyed and are no more, but the house of those who are right with God will stand.

A man will be praised for his wisdom, but a man with a sinful mind will be hated.

A man who has only a little honor and has a servant is better than one who honors himself and does not have bread.

10 A man who is right with God cares for his animal, but the sinful man is hard and has no pity.

11 He who works his land will have all the bread he needs, but he who follows what is of no worth has no wisdom.

12 The sinful man wants what sinful men have, but the root of those who are right with God gives fruit.

13 A sinful man is trapped by the sin of his lips, but those who are right with God will get away from trouble.

14 A man will be filled with good from the fruit of his words, and the work of a man’s hands will return to him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to good teaching.

16 The anger of a fool is known at once, but a wise man does not speak when he is spoken against.

17 He who speaks the truth tells what is right, but a liar tells lies.

18 There is one whose foolish words cut like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 Lips that tell the truth will last forever, but a lying tongue lasts only for a little while.

20 Lying is in the heart of those who plan what is bad, but those who plan peace have joy.

21 No trouble comes upon those who are right with God, but the sinful are filled with trouble.

22 The Lord hates lying lips, but those who speak the truth are His joy.

23 A wise man hides how much learning he has, but the heart of fools makes known their foolish way.

24 The hand of those who do their best will rule, but the lazy hand will be made to work.

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

26 The man who is right with God is a teacher to his neighbor, but the way of the sinful leads them the wrong way.

27 The lazy man will not cook the food he has caught, but the man who does his best has what is of great worth.

28 Life is in the way of those who are right with God, and in its path there is no death.