Proverbs 12 (New American Standard)

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1 Whoever loves ^adiscipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid. 2 A ¹good man will obtain favor from the LORD, But He will condemn a man ^bwho devises evil. 3 A man will ²not be established by wickedness, But the root of the ³righteous will not be moved. 4 An ^c4excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like ⁵rottenness in his bones. 5 The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The ⁶words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, But the ⁷mouth of the upright will deliver them. 7 The ⁸wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the ⁹house of the righteous will stand. 8 A man will be praised according to his insight, But one of perverse ^dmind will be despised. 9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant Than he who honors himself and lacks bread. 10 A ¹⁰righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. 11 He ¹¹who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks ^esense. 12 The ¹²wicked man desires the ^fbooty of evil men, But the root of the righteous ¹³yields fruit. 13 ^gAn evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the ¹⁴righteous will escape from trouble. 14 A man will be ¹⁵satisfied with good by the fruit of his ^hwords, And the ¹⁶deeds of a man's hands will return to him. 15 The ¹⁷way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel. 16 A ¹⁸fool's anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor. 17 He who ⁱspeaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit. 18 There is one who ¹⁹speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the ²⁰tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips will be established forever, But a ²¹lying tongue is only for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. 21 ²²No harm befalls the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble. 22 ²³Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight. 23 A ²⁴prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly. 24 The hand of the diligent will rule, But the ^jslack hand will be ²⁵put to forced labor. 25 ²⁶Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, But a ²⁷good word makes it glad. 26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 A ^klazy man does not ^lroast his prey, But the ²⁸precious possession of a man is diligence. 28 ²⁹In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.