Proverbs 12

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1Whoever loves 1discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.2A 2good man will obtain favor from the Lord, But He will condemn a man 3who devises evil.3A man will 4not be established by wickedness, But the root of the 5righteous will not be moved.4An 67excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like 8rottenness in his bones.5The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.6The 9words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, But the 10mouth of the upright will deliver them.7The 11wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the 12house of the righteous will stand.8A man will be praised according to his insight, But one of perverse 13mind will be despised.9Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.10A 14righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.11He 15who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks 16sense.12The 17wicked man desires the 18booty of evil men, But the root of the righteous 19yields fruit.1320An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the 21righteous will escape from trouble.14A man will be 22satisfied with good by the fruit of his 23words, And the 24deeds of a man’s hands will return to him.15The 25way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.16A 26fool’s anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor.17He who 27speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit.18There is one who 28speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the 29tongue of the wise brings healing.19Truthful lips will be established forever, But a 30lying tongue is only for a moment.20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.2131No harm befalls the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble.2232Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.23A 33prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly.24The hand of the diligent will rule, But the 34slack hand will be 35put to forced labor.2536Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a 37good word makes it glad.26The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray.27A 38lazy man does not 39roast his prey, But the 40precious possession of a man is diligence.2841In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.