Proverbs 12

1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

2A good person obtains favor from Yahweh, but he condemns anyone who schemes.

3No one is made secure by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved.

4A capable wife is her husband’s crown, but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones.

5The plans of the righteous are just; the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright rescues them.

7The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.

8A person is praised according to his good sense, but one with a twisted heart will be despised.

9Better to be lowly and have a servant than to act important and have no food.

10A righteous man cares for the life of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

11Whoever works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases worthless things lacks sense.

12The wicked covet what evil people have caught, but the root of the righteous yields fruit.

13The evil are trapped by the sin of their lips, but the righteous get out of trouble.

14From the fruit of his mouth a person is filled with good things, and what his hands have done comes back to him.

15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to advice is wise.

16A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a shrewd person covers over an insult.

17Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness speaks deceit.

18There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19Truthful lips will last forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

20Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy.

21No harm at all will come to the righteous, but the wicked are full of trouble.

22Lying lips are detestable to Yahweh, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

23A shrewd person keeps his knowledge hidden, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

24The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

25Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.

26The righteous person is better off than his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27The lazy do not roast their game, but diligence is a person’s precious wealth.

28In the path of righteousness there is life, and along its way there is no death.