Proverbs 12

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but he who hates reproof is stupid.
² A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
    but a man of evil devices he condemns.
³ A man is not established by wickedness,
    but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
⁴ A good wife is the crown of her husband,
    but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
⁵ The thoughts of the righteous are just;
    the counsels of the wicked are treacherous.
⁶ The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the mouth of the upright delivers men.
⁷ The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
    but the house of the righteous will stand.
⁸ A man is commended according to his good sense,
    but one of perverse mind is despised.
⁹ Better is a man of humble standing who works for himself
    than one who plays the great man but lacks bread.
¹⁰ A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast,
    but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
¹¹ He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
    but he who follows worthless pursuits has no sense.
¹² The strong tower of the wicked comes to ruin,
    but the root of the righteous stands firm.^[a]
13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
    but the righteous escapes from trouble.
¹⁴ From the fruit of his words a man is satisfied with good,
    and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.
¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but a wise man listens to advice.
¹⁶ The vexation of a fool is known at once,
    but the prudent man ignores an insult.
¹⁷ He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
    but a false witness utters deceit.
¹⁸ There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
¹⁹ Truthful lips endure for ever,
    but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
    but those who plan good have joy.
²¹ No ill befalls the righteous,
    but the wicked are filled with trouble.
²² Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.
²³ A prudent man conceals his knowledge,
    but fools^[b] proclaim their folly.
²⁴ The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
²⁵ Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.
²⁶ A righteous man turns away from evil,^[c]
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
²⁷ A slothful man will not catch his prey,^[d]
    but the diligent man will get precious wealth.^[e]
28 In the path of righteousness is life,
    but the way of error leads to death.^[f]