Proverbs 12:12-13:21

English Standard Version

¹² Whoever is wicked covets ^(A)the spoil of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
¹³ An evil man is ensnared ^(B)by the transgression of his lips,^{[a]
    (C)}but the righteous escapes from trouble.
¹⁴ From the fruit of his mouth ^(D)a man is satisfied with good,
    ^(E)and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
^15 (F)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but a wise man listens to advice.
^16 (G)The vexation of a fool is known at once,
    but the prudent ignores an insult.
^17 (H)Whoever speaks^[b] the truth gives honest evidence,
    but ^(I)a false witness utters deceit.
^18 (J)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings ^(K)healing.
¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
    but ^(L)a lying tongue is but for a moment.
²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of ^(M)those who devise evil,
    but those who plan peace have joy.
^21 (N)No ill befalls the righteous,
    but the wicked are filled with trouble.
^22 (O)Lying lips are ^(P)an abomination to the Lord,
    ^(Q)but those who act faithfully are his delight.
^23 (R)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
    ^(S)but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
^24 (T)The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the slothful will be ^(U)put to forced labor.
^25 (V)Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.
²⁶ One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,^[c]
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
^27 (W)Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
    but the diligent man will get precious wealth.^[d]
28 (X)In the path of righteousness is life,
    and in its pathway there is no death.
13 A wise son hears his father's instruction,
    but ^(Y)a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
² From the fruit of his mouth a man ^(Z)eats what is good,
    but the desire of the treacherous ^(AA)is for violence.
^3 (AB)Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
    ^(AC)he who opens wide his lips ^(AD)comes to ruin.
^4 (AE)The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
    while the soul of the diligent ^(AF)is richly supplied.
⁵ The righteous hates falsehood,
    but the wicked brings shame^[e] and disgrace.
^6 (AG)Righteousness guards him whose ^(AH)way is blameless,
    but sin overthrows the wicked.
^7 (AI)One pretends to be rich,^[f] yet has nothing;
    ^(AJ)another pretends to be poor,^[g] yet has great wealth.
⁸ The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,
    but a poor man ^(AK)hears no threat.
^9 (AL)The light of the righteous rejoices,
    but ^(AM)the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
^10 (AN)By insolence comes nothing but strife,
    but with those who take advice is wisdom.
^11 (AO)Wealth gained hastily^[h] will dwindle,
    but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    ^(AP)but a desire fulfilled is ^(AQ)a tree of life.
¹³ Whoever ^(AR)despises ^(AS)the word^[i] brings destruction on himself,
    but he who reveres the commandment^[j] will be ^(AT)rewarded.
¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is ^(AU)a fountain of life,
    that one may ^(AV)turn away from the snares of death.
^15 (AW)Good sense wins ^(AX)favor,
    but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.^[k]
16 (AY)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
    ^(AZ)but a fool flaunts his folly.
¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but ^(BA)a faithful envoy brings healing.
¹⁸ Poverty and disgrace come to him who ^(BB)ignores instruction,
    ^(BC)but whoever ^(BD)heeds reproof is honored.
^19 (BE)A desire fulfilled 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 will suffer harm.
^21 (BF)Disaster^[l] pursues sinners,
    ^(BG)but the righteous are rewarded with good.