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12 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
    but he who hates reproof is brutish.

A good man obtains favor of the Lord,
    but a man of wicked devices will He condemn.

A man will not be established by wickedness,
    but the root of the righteous will not be moved.

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband,
    but she who brings shame is as rottenness in his bones.

The thoughts of the righteous are right,
    but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”
    but the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

The wicked are overthrown, and are not,
    but the house of the righteous will stand.

A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
    but he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

He who is lightly esteemed and has a servant is better
    than he who honors himself and lacks bread.

10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
    but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
    but he who follows vain persons is void of understanding.

12 The wicked covet the plunder of evil men,
    but the root of the righteous yields fruit.

13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips,
    but the just will come out of trouble.

14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
    and the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but he who listens to counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s wrath is presently known,
    but a prudent man covers shame.

17 He who speaks truth shows forth righteousness,
    but a false witness deceit.

18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
    but the tongue of the wise is health.

19 The truthful lip will be established forever,
    but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who imagine evil,
    but to the counselors of peace is joy.

21 There will no evil happen to the just,
    but the wicked will be filled with mischief.

22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord,
    but those who deal truly are His delight.

23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,
    but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
    but the slothful will be put to forced labor.

25 Heaviness in the heart of man makes it droop,
    but a good word makes it glad.

26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbors,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 The slothful man does not roast that which he took in hunting,
    but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

28 In the way of righteousness is life,
    and in its pathway there is no death.

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.