Proverbs 12-13

1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

2Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.

3No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

4A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

5The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

7The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.

8A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised.

9Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

10The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

12The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.

13Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.

14From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.

15The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

16Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

17An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.

18The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

20Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.

21No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

23The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.

24Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

25Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

26The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27The lazy do not roast The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain. any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. 28In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.

1A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

2From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

3Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

4A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

5The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.

6Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

8A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.

9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

10Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

11Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

13Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

15Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction. Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.

16All who are prudent act with Or prudent protect themselves through knowledge, but fools expose their folly.

17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

18Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

19A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.

20Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

21Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.

22A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

23An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.

24Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them. 25The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.