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.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.

12 (A)Any who love knowledge want to be told when they are wrong. It is stupid to hate being corrected.

The Lord is pleased with good people, but condemns those who plan evil.

Wickedness does not give security, but righteous people stand firm.

A good wife is her husband's pride and joy; but a wife who brings shame on her husband is like a cancer in his bones.

Honest people will treat you fairly; the wicked only want to deceive you.

The words of the wicked are murderous, but the words of the righteous rescue those who are threatened.

The wicked meet their downfall and leave no descendants, but the families of the righteous live on.

If you are intelligent, you will be praised; if you are stupid, people will look down on you.

It is better to be an ordinary person working for a living than to play the part of someone great but go hungry.

10 Good people take care of their animals, but wicked people are cruel to theirs.

11 A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat, but it is stupid to waste time on useless projects.

12 All that wicked people want is to find evil things to do, but the righteous stand firm.[a]

13 The wicked are trapped by their own words, but honest people get themselves out of trouble.

14 Your reward depends on what you say and what you do; you will get what you deserve.

15 Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice.

16 When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be known. Smart people will ignore an insult.

17 When you tell the truth, justice is done, but lies lead to injustice.

18 Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.

19 A lie has a short life, but truth lives on forever.

20 Those who plan evil are in for a rude surprise, but those who work for good will find happiness.

21 Nothing bad happens to righteous people, but the wicked have nothing but trouble.

22 The Lord hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.

23 Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance.

24 Hard work will give you power; being lazy will make you a slave.

25 Worry can rob you of happiness, but kind words will cheer you up.

26 The righteous person is a guide to his friend, but the path of the wicked leads them astray.

27 If you are lazy, you will never get what you are after, but if you work hard, you will get a fortune.[b]

28 Righteousness is the road to life; wickedness[c] is the road to death.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:12 Verse 12 in Hebrew is unclear.
  2. Proverbs 12:27 Verse 27 in Hebrew is unclear.
  3. Proverbs 12:28 One ancient translation wickedness; Hebrew path.

12 He that loveth instruction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth correction, is a fool.

A good man getteth favor of the Lord: but the man of wicked imaginations will he condemn.

A man cannot be established by wickedness: but the [a]root of the righteous shall not be moved.

A [b]virtuous woman is the crown of her husband: but she that maketh him ashamed, is as corruption in his bones.

The thoughts of the just are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

The talking of the wicked is to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the righteous will [c]deliver them.

God overthroweth the wicked, and they are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

A man shall be commended for his wisdom: but the froward of heart shall be despised.

He that is despised, [d]and is his own servant, is better than he that boasteth himself, and lacketh bread.

10 A righteous man [e]regardeth the life of his beast: but the mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 (A)He that tilleth his land, shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth the idle, is destitute of [f]understanding.

12 The wicked desireth the [g]net of evils: but the [h]root of the righteous giveth fruit.

13 The evil man is snared by the wickedness of his lips, but the just shall come out of adversity.

14 A man shall be satiate with good things by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man’s hands shall God give unto him.

15 The way of a fool is [i]right in his own eyes: but he that heareth in counsel, is wise.

16 A fool in a day shall be known by his anger: but he [j]that covereth shame, is wise.

17 He that speaketh truth, will show righteousness: but a false witness useth deceit.

18 (B)There is that speaketh words like the prickings of [k]a sword: but the tongue of wise men is health.

19 The lip of truth shall be stable forever: but a lying tongue varieth incontinently.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace shall be joy.

21 There shall none iniquity come to the just: but the wicked are full of evil.

22 The lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

23 A wise man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of the fools publisheth foolishness.

24 (C)The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the idle shall be under tribute.

25 Heaviness in the heart of man doth bring it down: but a [l]good word rejoice it.

26 The righteous [m]is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked will deceive them.

27 The deceitful man roasteth not that he [n]took in hunting: but the riches of the diligent man are precious.

28 Life is in the way of righteousness, and in that pathway there is no death.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:3 They are so grounded in the favor of God, that their root shall prosper continually.
  2. Proverbs 12:4 Hebrew, strong, or painful.
  3. Proverbs 12:6 As their conscience is upright, so shall they be able to speak for themselves against their accusers.
  4. Proverbs 12:9 The poor man that is contemned and yet liveth of his own travail.
  5. Proverbs 12:10 Is merciful, even to the very beast that doeth him service.
  6. Proverbs 12:11 Or, defense.
  7. Proverbs 12:12 Continually imagineth means how to do harm to others.
  8. Proverbs 12:12 Meaning, their heart within, which is upright, and doeth good to all.
  9. Proverbs 12:15 He standeth in his own conceit, and condemneth all others in respect of himself.
  10. Proverbs 12:16 Which bridleth his affections.
  11. Proverbs 12:18 Which seek nothing more than to provoke others to anger.
  12. Proverbs 12:25 That is, words of comfort, or, a cheerful mind which is declared by his words, rejoiceth a man, as a covetous mind killeth him.
  13. Proverbs 12:26 That is, more liberal in giving.
  14. Proverbs 12:27 Although he get much by unlawful means, yet will he not spend it upon himself.