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

Wisdom and Wickedness Contrasted

12 The person who loves correction loves knowledge,
but anyone who hates a rebuke is stupid.
The good person will gain favor from the Lord,
    but the man who plots evil will be condemned by him.
A person doesn’t gain security by wickedness,
    but the righteous won’t be uprooted.

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband,
    but a wife[a] who puts him to shame is like bone cancer.[b]
The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

The words of the wicked lead to[c] bloodshed,
    but the speech of the upright delivers them.
After they’re overthrown, the wicked won’t be found,
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.

A man is praised because of his wise words,
    but the perverted mind[d] will be despised.
It’s better to be unimportant, yet have a servant,
    than to pretend to be important, but lack food.
10 The righteous person looks out for the welfare of his livestock,
    but even[e] the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 Whoever tills his soil will have a lot to eat,
    but anyone who pursues fantasies lacks sense.[f]

12 The wicked desires what evil people gain,
    but the foundation[g] of the righteous is productive.
13 An evil man’s sinful speech ensnares him,
    but the righteous person escapes from trouble.

14 By his fruitful speech a man can remain satisfied,
    and a man’s handiwork will reward him.

15 The lifestyle of the fool is right in his own opinion,
    but wise is the man who listens to advice.
16 The anger of a fool becomes readily apparent,
    but the prudent person overlooks an insult.

17 The truth teller speaks what is right,
    but the false witness speaks what is[h] deceitful.
18 Some speak rashly like the cutting of a sword,
    but what the wise say promotes healing.
19 A truthful saying[i] is trusted forever,
    but the liar[j] only for a moment.
20 Deceit is at home[k] in the heart of those who plan evil,
    but those who promote peace rejoice.

21 No harm overwhelms the righteous,
    but the wicked overflow with trouble.

22 Deceitful speech is reprehensible to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.

23 A prudent man keeps what he knows to himself,[l]
    but the hearts of fools shout forth their foolishness.
24 The diligent will take control,
    but the lazy will be put to forced labor.

25 A person’s anxiety weighs down his heart,
    but an appropriate word is encouraging.

26 The righteous person is cautious with respect to his neighbor,
    but the lifestyle of the wicked leads them astray.

27 The lazy person does not roast what he has hunted,
    but diligence is one’s most important possession.

28 In the pathway to righteousness there is life,
    and in that lifestyle there is no death.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:4 Lit. but she
  2. Proverbs 12:4 Lit. decay
  3. Proverbs 12:6 Lit. wicked lie in wait for
  4. Proverbs 12:8 Lit. heart
  5. Proverbs 12:10 The Heb. lacks even
  6. Proverbs 12:11 Lit. heart
  7. Proverbs 12:12 Or root
  8. Proverbs 12:17 The Heb. lacks speaks what is
  9. Proverbs 12:19 Lit. lips
  10. Proverbs 12:19 Lit. the lying tongue
  11. Proverbs 12:20 The Heb. lacks at home
  12. Proverbs 12:23 The Heb. lacks to himself