Add parallel Print Page Options

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)

13 A wise child loves discipline,[g]
    but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.(V)
From the fruit of their words good persons eat good things,
    but the desire of the treacherous is for wrongdoing.
Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives;
    those who open wide their lips come to ruin.(W)
The appetite of the lazy craves and gets nothing,
    while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied.(X)
The righteous hate falsehood,
    but the wicked act shamefully and disgracefully.
Righteousness guards one whose way is upright,
    but sin overthrows the wicked.(Y)
Some pretend to be rich yet have nothing;
    others pretend to be poor yet have great wealth.(Z)
Wealth is a ransom for a person’s life,
    but a poor person pays no attention to a rebuke.
The light of the righteous rejoices,[h]
    but the lamp of the wicked goes out.(AA)
10 By insolence the empty-headed person makes strife,
    but wisdom is with those who take advice.(AB)
11 Wealth hastily gotten[i] will dwindle,
    but those who gather little by little will increase it.(AC)
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Those who despise a word bring destruction on themselves,
    but those who respect a command will be rewarded.(AD)
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    so that one may avoid the snares of death.(AE)
15 Good sense wins favor,
    but the way of the faithless is their ruin.[j](AF)
16 The clever do all things intelligently,
    but the fool displays folly.(AG)
17 A bad messenger brings trouble,
    but a faithful envoy, healing.(AH)
18 Poverty and disgrace are for the one who ignores instruction,
    but one who heeds reproof is honored.(AI)
19 A desire realized is sweet to the soul,
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools suffers harm.(AJ)
21 Misfortune pursues sinners,
    but prosperity rewards the righteous.(AK)
22 The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children,
    but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.(AL)
23 The field of the poor may yield much food,
    but it is swept away through injustice.(AM)
24 Those who spare the rod hate their children,
    but those who love them are diligent to discipline them.(AN)
25 The righteous have enough to satisfy their appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked is empty.(AO)

14 The wise woman[k] builds her house,
    but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
Those who walk uprightly fear the Lord,
    but one who is devious in conduct despises him.(AP)
The talk of fools is a rod for their backs,[l]
    but the lips of the wise preserve them.(AQ)
Where there are no oxen, there is no grain;
    abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
A faithful witness does not lie,
    but a false witness breathes out lies.(AR)
A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
    but knowledge is easy for one who understands.
Leave the presence of a fool,
    for there you do not find words of knowledge.
It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go,
    but the folly of fools misleads.(AS)
Fools mock at the guilt offering,[m]
    but the upright enjoy God’s favor.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no stranger shares its joy.
11 The house of the wicked is destroyed,
    but the tent of the upright flourishes.(AT)
12 There is a way that seems right to a person,
    but its end is the way to death.[n](AU)
13 Even in laughter the heart is sad,
    and the end of joy is grief.(AV)
14 The perverse get what their ways deserve,
    and the good, what their deeds deserve.[o](AW)
15 The simple believe everything,
    but the clever consider their steps.
16 The wise are cautious and turn away from evil,
    but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.(AX)
17 One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly,
    and the schemer is hated.(AY)
18 The simple are adorned with[p] folly,
    but the clever are crowned with knowledge.(AZ)
19 The evil bow down before the good,
    the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(BA)
20 The poor are disliked even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.(BB)
21 Those who despise their neighbors are sinners,
    but happy are those who are kind to the poor.(BC)
22 Do not those who plan evil err?
    Those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but folly is the garland[q] of fools.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but one who utters lies is a betrayer.(BD)
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
    and one’s children will have a refuge.(BE)
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    so that one may avoid the snares of death.(BF)
28 The glory of a king is a multitude of people;
    without people a prince is ruined.
29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
    but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.(BG)
30 A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh,
    but jealousy makes the bones rot.(BH)
31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
    but those who are kind to the needy honor him.(BI)
32 The wicked are overthrown by their evildoing,
    but the righteous find a refuge in their integrity.[r](BJ)
33 Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding,
    but it is not[s] known in the heart of fools.(BK)
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
    but sin is a reproach to any people.(BL)
35 A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.(BM)

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
  7. 13.1 Cn: Heb A wise child the discipline of his father
  8. 13.9 Or shines
  9. 13.11 Gk Vg: Heb from vanity
  10. 13.15 Cn Compare Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb is enduring
  11. 14.1 Heb Wisdom of women
  12. 14.3 Cn: Heb a rod of pride
  13. 14.9 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  14. 14.12 Heb ways of death
  15. 14.14 Cn: Heb from upon him
  16. 14.18 Or inherit
  17. 14.24 Cn: Heb is the folly
  18. 14.32 Gk Syr: Heb in their death
  19. 14.33 Gk Syr: Heb lacks not

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.

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(AJ)

From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(AK)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

Those who guard their lips(AL) preserve their lives,(AM)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(AN)

A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(AO)
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

The righteous hate what is false,(AP)
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.

Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(AQ)

One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(AR)
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(AS)

A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(AT)

The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(AU)

10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(AV)

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(AW)
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(AX)

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(AY)
    but whoever respects(AZ) a command is rewarded.(BA)

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(BB)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(BC)

15 Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[b]

16 All who are prudent act with[c] knowledge,
    but fools expose(BD) their folly.(BE)

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,(BF)
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.(BG)

18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(BH)
    but whoever heeds correction is honored.(BI)

19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(BJ)
    but fools detest turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.(BK)

21 Trouble pursues the sinner,(BL)
    but the righteous(BM) are rewarded with good things.(BN)

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(BO)

23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

24 Whoever spares the rod(BP) hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(BQ) them.(BR)

25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(BS)

14 The wise woman builds her house,(BT)
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(BU)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(BV)

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox(BW) come abundant harvests.

An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.(BX)

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(BY)

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(BZ)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(CA)

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,(CB)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.(CC)

12 There is a way that appears to be right,(CD)
    but in the end it leads to death.(CE)

13 Even in laughter(CF) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,(CG)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.(CH)

15 The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.(CI)

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(CJ)
    but a fool(CK) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 A quick-tempered person(CL) does foolish things,(CM)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(CN)

18 The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(CO)

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.(CP)

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(CQ)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(CR)

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(CS)
    But those who plan what is good find[d] love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.(CT)

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.(CU)

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(CV)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.(CW)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(CX)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(CY)

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.(CZ)

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(DA)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(DB)

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.(DC)

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(DD)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(DE)

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(DF)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(DG)

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(DH)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[e]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(DI)
    but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(DJ)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  2. Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
  3. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through
  4. Proverbs 14:22 Or show
  5. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known