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12 Whoever loves discipline loves to learn,
    but whoever hates correction is a dumb animal.
A good person obtains favor from Yahweh,
    but Yahweh condemns everyone who schemes.
A person cannot stand firm on a foundation of wickedness,
    and the roots of righteous people cannot be moved.
A wife with strength of character is the crown of her husband,
    but the wife who disgraces him is like bone cancer.

The thoughts of righteous people are fair.
    The advice of wicked people is treacherous.
The words of wicked people are a deadly ambush,
    but the words[a] of decent people rescue.
Overthrow wicked people, and they are no more,
    but the families of righteous people continue to stand.

A person will be praised based on his insight,
    but whoever has a twisted mind will be despised.
Better to be unimportant and have a slave
    than to act important and have nothing to eat.
10 A righteous person cares even about the life of his animals,
    but the compassion of wicked people is nothing but cruelty.
11 Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat,
    but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense.
12 A wicked person delights in setting a trap for other evil people,
    but the roots of righteous people produce fruit.[b]
13 An evil person is trapped by his own sinful talk,
    but a righteous person escapes from trouble.
14 One person enjoys good things as a result of his speaking ability.
    Another is paid according to what his hands have accomplished.

15 A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one,
    but a person who listens to advice is wise.
16 When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately,
    but a sensible person hides the insult.

17 A truthful witness speaks honestly,
    but a lying witness speaks deceitfully.
18 Careless words stab like a sword,
    but the words of wise people bring healing.
19 The word of truth lasts forever,
    but lies last only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil,
    but joy belongs to those who advise peace.

21 No lasting harm comes to a righteous person,
    but wicked people have lots of trouble.
22 Lips that lie are disgusting to Yahweh,
    but honest people are his delight.
23 A sensible person discreetly hides knowledge,
    but foolish minds preach stupidity.
24 Hard-working hands gain control,
    but lazy hands do slave labor.
25 A person’s anxiety will weigh him down,
    but an encouraging word makes him joyful.
26 A righteous person looks out for his neighbor,
    but the path of wicked people leads others astray.
27 A lazy hunter does not catch[c] his prey,
    but a hard-working person becomes wealthy.[d]
28 Everlasting life is on the way of righteousness.
    Eternal death is not along its path.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:6 Or “mouths.”
  2. Proverbs 12:12 Hebrew meaning of this verse uncertain.
  3. Proverbs 12:27 Hebrew meaning uncertain.
  4. Proverbs 12:27 Hebrew meaning of this line uncertain.

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.