Proverbs 12:24-26

Contemporary English Version

²⁴ Work hard, and you
    will be a leader;
be lazy, and you
    will end up a slave.
²⁵ Worry is a heavy burden,
but a kind word
    always brings cheer.
²⁶ You are better off to do right,
than to lose your way
    by doing wrong.^[a]