12 Those who love discipline love knowledge,
and those who hate correction are stupid.
2 The Lord favors good people,
but he condemns schemers.
3 No one is established by wicked acts,
but the roots of the righteous can’t be disturbed.
4 A strong woman is a crown to her husband,
but a disgraceful woman is like rot in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the guidance of the wicked is deceptive.
6 The words of the wicked are a deathtrap,
but the speech of those who do right rescues them.
7 The wicked are destroyed and are no more,
but the family of the righteous will endure.
8 A person is praised for his insight,
but a warped mind leads to contempt.
9 Better to be held in low regard and have a servant
than to be conceited and lack food.
10 The righteous care about their livestock’s needs,
but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have plenty to eat,
but those who engage in empty pursuits have no sense.
12 Desiring evil is a trap for the wicked,
but the root of the righteous endures.[a]
13 The wicked are trapped by the transgressions of their lips,
but the righteous escape from distress.
14 From the fruit of their speech, people are well satisfied;
their work results in reward.
15 Fools see their own way as right,
but the wise listen to advice.
16 Fools reveal their anger right away,
but the shrewd hide their contempt.
17 Those who state the truth speak justly,
but a false witness deceives.
18 Some chatter on like a stabbing sword,
but a wise tongue heals.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil,
but there is joy for those who advise peace.
21 No harm happens to the righteous,
but the wicked receive their fill of trouble.
22 The Lord detests false lips;
he favors those who do what is true.
23 The shrewd conceal their knowledge,
but the heart of fools proclaims their stupidity.
24 A hard worker is in charge,
while a lazy one will be sentenced to hard labor.
25 Anxiety leads to depression,
but a good word encourages.
26 The righteous offer guidance to their neighbors,[b]
but the path of the wicked makes them wander.
27 The lazy don’t roast[c] their prey,
but hard workers receive precious riches.
28 The way of the righteous leads to life,
but the detestable[d] path leads to death.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:12 Or gives
- Proverbs 12:26 Heb uncertain
- Proverbs 12:27 Heb uncertain
- Proverbs 12:28 LXX; MT the path of the trail