12 Whoever is wicked covets (A)the spoil of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 An evil man is ensnared (B)by the transgression of his lips,[a]
    (C)but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth (D)a man is satisfied with good,
    (E)and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
15 (F)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but a wise man listens to advice.
16 (G)The vexation of a fool is known at once,
    but the prudent ignores an insult.
17 (H)Whoever speaks[b] the truth gives honest evidence,
    but (I)a false witness utters deceit.
18 (J)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings (K)healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but (L)a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of (M)those who devise evil,
    but those who plan peace have joy.
21 (N)No ill befalls the righteous,
    but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 (O)Lying lips are (P)an abomination to the Lord,
    (Q)but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 (R)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
    (S)but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 (T)The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the slothful will be (U)put to forced labor.
25 (V)Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,[c]
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:13 Or In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare
  2. Proverbs 12:17 Hebrew breathes out
  3. Proverbs 12:26 Or The righteous chooses his friends carefully

12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous endures.

13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,(A)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.(B)

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(C)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.(D)

15 The way of fools seems right to them,(E)
    but the wise listen to advice.(F)

16 Fools(G) show their annoyance at once,(H)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.(I)

17 An honest witness tells the truth,
    but a false witness tells lies.(J)

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,(K)
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(L)

19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

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

21 No harm overtakes the righteous,(N)
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22 The Lord detests lying lips,(O)
    but he delights(P) in people who are trustworthy.(Q)

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,(R)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.(S)

24 Diligent hands will rule,
    but laziness ends in forced labor.(T)

25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(U)
    but a kind word cheers it up.

26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.(V)

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