Proverbs 12:16-13:25

English Standard Version

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