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12 ¶ Whosoever loves chastening loves knowledge, but he that hates reproof is carnal.

¶ The good man shall attain the favour of the LORD, but the man of wicked thoughts he will condemn.

¶ Man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

¶ The virtuous woman is a crown to her husband, but she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

¶ The thoughts of the righteous are upright, but the astuteness of the wicked is deceit.

¶ The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

¶ God shall overthrow the wicked, and they shall not be any longer, but the house of the righteous shall remain.

¶ A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

¶ He that despises himself and becomes a slave is better than he that honours himself and lacks bread.

10 ¶ The righteous is merciful even unto his beast, but the piety of the wicked is cruel.

11 ¶ He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he that follows vain persons is void of understanding.

12 ¶ The wicked desires the net of evil men, but the root of the righteous shall yield fruit.

13 ¶ The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the just shall come out of the tribulation.

14 ¶ Man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 ¶ The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but he that hears counsel is wise.

16 ¶ A fool’s wrath is presently known, but he who covers the injury is sane.

17 He that speaks truth shows forth righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.

18 ¶ There are those that speak like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is medicine.

19 ¶ The lip of truth shall be established for ever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 ¶ Deceit is in the heart of those whose thoughts are evil, but joy in that of those whose thoughts are good.

21 ¶ No iniquity shall overtake the righteous: but the wicked shall be filled with evil.

22 ¶ Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but the workers of the truth are his delight.

23 ¶ The sane man conceals his wisdom: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

24 ¶ The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the negligent shall be under tribute.

25 ¶ Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad.

26 ¶ The righteous causes his neighbour to consider: but the way of the wicked causes them to err.

27 ¶ The deceitful man does not even roast that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

28 ¶ In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but whoever hates correction is stupid.(A)

Good people obtain favor from the Lord,(B)
    but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.(C)

No one can be established through wickedness,
    but the righteous cannot be uprooted.(D)

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

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

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

The wicked are overthrown and are no more,(H)
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.(I)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16 Fools(S) show their annoyance at once,(T)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.(U)

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

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

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

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

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

22 The Lord detests lying lips,(AA)
    but he delights(AB) in people who are trustworthy.(AC)

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

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

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

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

27 The lazy do not roast[a] any game,
    but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

28 In the way of righteousness there is life;(AI)
    along that path is immortality.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.