Proverbs 12  Common English Bible

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.