Proverbs 12 (Today's New International Version)

1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.¹ 2 Good people obtain favor from the LORD,² but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.³ 3 No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.⁴ 4 A wife of noble character⁵ is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.⁶ 5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.⁷ 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,⁸ but the house of the righteous stands firm.⁹ 8 People are praised according to their prudence, and those with warped¹⁰ minds are despised. 9 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,¹¹ 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.¹² 12 The wicked desire the plunder^a of evildoers, but the root of the righteous flourishes. 13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,¹³ and so the innocent escape trouble.¹⁴ 14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,¹⁵ and the work of their hands brings them reward.¹⁶ 15 The way of fools seems right to them,¹⁷ but the wise listen to advice.¹⁸ 16 Fools¹⁹ show their annoyance at once,²⁰ but the prudent overlook an insult.²¹ 17 An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.²² 18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,²³ but the tongue of the wise brings healing.²⁴ 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.²⁵ 21 No harm overtakes the righteous,²⁶ but the wicked have their fill of trouble. 22 The LORD detests lying lips,²⁷ but he delights²⁸ in people who are trustworthy.²⁹ 23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,³⁰ but a fool's heart blurts out folly.³¹ 24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.³² 25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,³³ but a kind word cheers it up. 26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.³⁴ 27 The lazy do not roast^b any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. 28 In the way of righteousness there is life;³⁵ along that path is immortality.