Proverbs 12:12-23

The Voice

¹² The wicked envy what the evil plunder,
    but the root of the right-living produces fruit for all.
¹³ A wrongdoer is soon boxed in by his deceitful talk,
    but the one who does right escapes from trouble unharmed.
¹⁴ Words spoken wisely result in much good,
    and working with your hands pays a large reward.
¹⁵ Fools follow their own directions and think they are right,
    but wise people listen intently to advice.
¹⁶ A fool’s anger is quickly evident,
    but a clever person knows how to hide his flaws.
¹⁷ A faithful witness speaks the truth,
    but a false witness utters lies.
¹⁸ Thoughtless words cut deeply like a thrusting sword,
    but the speech of the wise is a healing balm.
¹⁹ Truth spoken will stand forever,
    but lies survive only briefly.
²⁰ Deceit darkens the hearts of those who plot evil,
    but advocates of peace have joy.
²¹ The right-living are not overcome with calamity,
    but wrongdoers have their fill of it.
²² Lying lips disgust the Eternal,
    but those who act faithfully delight Him.
²³ A clever man is careful in revealing what he knows,
    but a fool betrays his incompetence.