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12 Whoever loves [a]discipline loves knowledge,
But he who hates reproof is senseless.
A (A)good man will obtain favor from Yahweh,
But a man of evil schemes He will condemn.
A man will (B)not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the (C)righteous will not be shaken.
[b]An (D)excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like (E)rottenness in his bones.
The thoughts of the righteous are just,
But the guidance of the wicked is deceitful.
The (F)words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
But the (G)mouth of the upright will deliver them.
The (H)wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the (I)house of the righteous will stand.
A man will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse heart will be despised.
Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant
Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.
10 A (J)righteous man knows the value of the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 He (K)who cultivates his land will be satisfied with bread,
But he who pursues empty things lacks a heart of wisdom.
12 The (L)wicked man desires a stronghold of evil men,
But the root of the righteous (M)gives fruit.
13 The snare of an evil man is in the transgression of his lips,
But the (N)righteous man will come out from distress.
14 A man will be (O)satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
And the good (P)deed of a man’s hands will return to him.
15 The (Q)way of an ignorant fool is right in his own eyes,
But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
16 An (R)ignorant fool’s [c]anger is known at once,
But a prudent man conceals disgrace.
17 He who breathes out truth declares what is right,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who (S)speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the (T)tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips will be established forever,
But a (U)lying tongue is only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have gladness.
21 (V)No misfortune befalls the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with calamity.
22 (W)Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh,
But doers of faithfulness are His delight.
23 A (X)prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But [d]the slack hand will be (Y)put to forced labor.
25 (Z)Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
But a (AA)good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked makes them wander about.
27 A slack handed man does not [e]roast his prey,
But the wealth of a man is (AB)precious for the diligent.
28 (AC)In the path of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:1 Or instruction
  2. Proverbs 12:4 Or A virtuous
  3. Proverbs 12:16 Or vexation
  4. Proverbs 12:24 Lit slackness
  5. Proverbs 12:27 Or catch

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.(A)
The good obtain favor from the Lord,
    but those who devise evil he condemns.(B)
No one finds security by wickedness,
    but the root of the righteous will never be moved.(C)
A good wife is the crown of her husband,
    but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.(D)
The thoughts of the righteous are just;
    the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,
    but the speech of the upright delivers them.(E)
The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
    but the house of the righteous will stand.(F)
One is commended for good sense,
    but a perverse mind is despised.
Better to be despised and have produce[a]
    than to be self-important and lack food.
10 The righteous know the needs of their animals,
    but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.(G)
11 Those who till their land will have plenty of food,
    but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.(H)
12 The wicked covet the proceeds of wickedness,[b]
    but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,
    but the righteous escape from trouble.(I)
14 From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,
    and manual labor has its reward.(J)
15 Fools think their own way is right,
    but the wise listen to advice.(K)
16 Fools show their anger at once,
    but the prudent ignore an insult.(L)
17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
    but a false witness speaks deceitfully.(M)
18 Rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(N)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.(O)
20 Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil,
    but those who counsel peace have joy.(P)
21 No harm happens to the righteous,
    but the wicked are filled with trouble.(Q)
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.(R)
23 One who is clever conceals knowledge,
    but the mind of a fool[c] broadcasts folly.(S)
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the lazy will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety weighs down the human heart,
    but a good word cheers it up.(T)
26 The righteous are released from misfortune,[d]
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy do not roast[e] their game,
    but the diligent obtain precious wealth.[f]
28 In the path of righteousness there is life;
    in walking its path there is no death.(U)

Footnotes

  1. 12.9 Cn: Heb servant
  2. 12.12 Or covet the catch of the wicked
  3. 12.23 Heb the heart of fools
  4. 12.26 Syr: Meaning of Heb uncertain
  5. 12.27 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  6. 12.27 Meaning of Heb uncertain