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12 Whoever loves correction loves knowledge,
    but he who hates reproof is stupid.
A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh,
    but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.
A man shall not be established by wickedness,
    but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
A worthy woman is the crown of her husband,
    but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.
The thoughts of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.
The wicked are overthrown, and are no more,
    but the house of the righteous shall stand.
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom,
    but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
Better is he who is little known, and has a servant,
    than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
10 A righteous man respects the life of his animal,
    but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread,
    but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
12 The wicked desires the plunder of evil men,
    but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13 An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips,
    but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth.
    The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but he who is wise listens to counsel.
16 A fool shows his annoyance the same day,
    but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
17 He who is truthful testifies honestly,
    but a false witness lies.
18 There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword,
    but the tongue of the wise heals.
19 Truth’s lips will be established forever,
    but a lying tongue is only momentary.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil,
    but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
21 No mischief shall happen to the righteous,
    but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh,
    but those who do the truth are his delight.
23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge,
    but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
24 The hands of the diligent ones shall rule,
    but laziness ends in slave labor.
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
    but a kind word makes it glad.
26 A righteous person is cautious in friendship,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The slothful man doesn’t roast his game,
    but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
28 In the way of righteousness is life;
    in its path 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.