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

Good people obtain favor from the Lord,(B)
    but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.(C)

No one can be established through wickedness,
    but the righteous cannot be uprooted.(D)

A wife of noble character(E) is her husband’s crown,
    but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.(F)

The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.(G)

The wicked are overthrown and are no more,(H)
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.(I)

A person is praised according to their prudence,
    and one with a warped(J) mind is despised.

Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
    than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,(K)
    but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies have no sense.(L)

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

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

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

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

16 Fools(S) show their annoyance at once,(T)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.(U)

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

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

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.(Y)

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

22 The Lord detests lying lips,(AA)
    but he delights(AB) in people who are trustworthy.(AC)

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

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

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

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

27 The lazy do not roast[a] any game,
    but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

28 In the way of righteousness there is life;(AI)
    along that path is immortality.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.

The House of the Righteous Shall Stand

12 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.

A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

A man is not established by wickedness,
But the (A)root of the righteous cannot be moved.

(B)An[a] excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is (C)like rottenness in his bones.

The thoughts of the righteous are right,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
(D)The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”
(E)But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

(F)The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.

A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
(G)But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

(H)Better is the one who is [b]slighted but has a servant,
Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

10 (I)A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 (J)He who [c]tills his land will be satisfied with (K)bread,
But he who follows [d]frivolity (L)is devoid of [e]understanding.

12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 (M)The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
(N)But the righteous will come through trouble.
14 (O)A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
(P)And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.

15 (Q)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise.
16 (R)A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame.

17 (S)He who speaks truth declares righteousness,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 (T)There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
19 The truthful lip shall be established forever,
(U)But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
21 (V)No grave [f]trouble will overtake the righteous,
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 (W)Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

23 (X)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

24 (Y)The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

25 (Z)Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But (AA)a good word makes it glad.

26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession.

28 In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:4 Lit. A wife of valor
  2. Proverbs 12:9 lightly esteemed
  3. Proverbs 12:11 works or cultivates
  4. Proverbs 12:11 Lit. vain things
  5. Proverbs 12:11 Lit. heart
  6. Proverbs 12:21 harm

12 (A)Any who love knowledge want to be told when they are wrong. It is stupid to hate being corrected.

The Lord is pleased with good people, but condemns those who plan evil.

Wickedness does not give security, but righteous people stand firm.

A good wife is her husband's pride and joy; but a wife who brings shame on her husband is like a cancer in his bones.

Honest people will treat you fairly; the wicked only want to deceive you.

The words of the wicked are murderous, but the words of the righteous rescue those who are threatened.

The wicked meet their downfall and leave no descendants, but the families of the righteous live on.

If you are intelligent, you will be praised; if you are stupid, people will look down on you.

It is better to be an ordinary person working for a living than to play the part of someone great but go hungry.

10 Good people take care of their animals, but wicked people are cruel to theirs.

11 A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat, but it is stupid to waste time on useless projects.

12 All that wicked people want is to find evil things to do, but the righteous stand firm.[a]

13 The wicked are trapped by their own words, but honest people get themselves out of trouble.

14 Your reward depends on what you say and what you do; you will get what you deserve.

15 Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice.

16 When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be known. Smart people will ignore an insult.

17 When you tell the truth, justice is done, but lies lead to injustice.

18 Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.

19 A lie has a short life, but truth lives on forever.

20 Those who plan evil are in for a rude surprise, but those who work for good will find happiness.

21 Nothing bad happens to righteous people, but the wicked have nothing but trouble.

22 The Lord hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.

23 Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance.

24 Hard work will give you power; being lazy will make you a slave.

25 Worry can rob you of happiness, but kind words will cheer you up.

26 The righteous person is a guide to his friend, but the path of the wicked leads them astray.

27 If you are lazy, you will never get what you are after, but if you work hard, you will get a fortune.[b]

28 Righteousness is the road to life; wickedness[c] is the road to death.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:12 Verse 12 in Hebrew is unclear.
  2. Proverbs 12:27 Verse 27 in Hebrew is unclear.
  3. Proverbs 12:28 One ancient translation wickedness; Hebrew path.

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