Old Testament · Proverbs

Proverbs 12

Loving Discipline and Knowledge

1Loving discipline, loving knowledge; but the one hating reproof is brutish.
2A good one obtains favor from the LORD; but a man^a of schemes He condemns.
3A man^b shall not be established by wickedness; but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4A wife^c of valor is a crown of her husband; but like rottenness in his bones is she who causes shame.
5The thoughts of the righteous are judgment^d; the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6The words of the wicked are a lying-in-wait for blood; but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7The wicked are overthrown, and they are no more; but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8According to his understanding a man is praised; but the perverse of heart shall be for contempt.
9Better is one lightly esteemed who has a servant than one who honors himself and lacks bread.
10A righteous one knows the soul^e of his beast; but the mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11One who works^f his ground^g shall be satisfied with bread; but one who pursues empty things lacks heart.
12The wicked one desires the net of evil men; but the root of the righteous yields.
13In the transgression of the lips is an evil snare; but the righteous comes out from distress.
14From the fruit of a man's mouth he is satisfied with good; and the recompense of a man's hands returns to him.
15The way of a fool is straight in his own eyes; but one who listens to counsel is wise.
16A fool—in the day his vexation is known; but the prudent one covers shame.
17One who breathes out faithfulness declares righteousness; but a witness of lies, deceit.
18There is one who speaks rashly like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is healing.
19The lip of truth is established forever; but only for a moment is a lying tongue.
20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil; but to the counselors of peace is joy.
21No iniquity shall befall the righteous; but the wicked are filled with evil.
22An abomination of the LORD are lips of falsehood; but those who do faithfulness are His delight.
23A prudent man covers knowledge; but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24The hand of the diligent shall rule; but slackness shall be for forced labor.
25Anxiety in the heart of a man bows it down; but a good word makes it glad.
26The righteous is a guide to his neighbor; but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27Slackness does not roast its game; but the precious wealth of a man is diligence.
28In the path of righteousness is life^h; and the way of its pathway is no death.