Proverbs 12:1-28

  • One who hates reproof has no sense (1)

  • “Thoughtless speech is like the stabs of a sword” (18)

  • Promoting peace brings joy (20)

  • Lying lips detestable to Jehovah (22)

  • Anxiety weighs the heart down (25)

12  The one who loves discipline loves knowledge,+But the one who hates reproof is unreasoning.*+  2  The good person obtains Jehovah’s approval,But He condemns the man of wicked schemes.+  3  No man is made secure by wickedness,+But the righteous will never be uprooted.  4  A capable wife is a crown to her husband,+But the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.+  5  The thoughts of the righteous are just,But the guidance of the wicked is deceptive.  6  The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,*+But the mouth of the upright saves them.+  7  When the wicked are overthrown, they are no more,But the house of the righteous will keep standing.+  8  A man is praised for the discretion of his mouth,+But one with a twisted heart will be treated with contempt.+  9  Better to be lightly esteemed and have a servantThan to glorify oneself and have no food.*+ 10  The righteous one takes care of his domestic animals,*+But even the mercy of the wicked is cruel. 11  The one who cultivates his land will be satisfied with food,+But the one pursuing worthless things is lacking good sense.* 12  The wicked man envies what other evil men have caught,But the root of the righteous bears fruit. 13  The evil man is ensnared by his own sinful speech,+But the righteous one escapes from distress. 14  From the fruitage of his speech* a man is satisfied with good,+And the work of his hands will reward him. 15  The way of the fool is right in his own eyes,+But the wise one accepts advice.*+ 16  A fool immediately* shows his annoyance,+But the shrewd man overlooks* an insult. 17  The one who testifies faithfully will tell the truth,*But a false witness speaks deceit. 18  Thoughtless speech is like the stabs of a sword,But the tongue of the wise is a healing.+ 19  Truthful lips will endure forever,+But a lying tongue will last for only a moment.+ 20  Deceit is in the heart of those who plot mischief,But those who promote* peace have joy.+ 21  No harm will befall the righteous one,+But the wicked will have their fill of calamity.+ 22  Lying lips are detestable to Jehovah,+But those acting faithfully bring pleasure to him. 23  A shrewd man conceals what he knows,But the heart of the fool blurts out his foolishness.+ 24  The hand of the diligent ones will rule,+But idle hands will be put to forced labor.+ 25  Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,*+But a good word cheers it up.+ 26  The righteous one searches out his pastures,But the course of the wicked leads them astray. 27  The lazy do not chase after the prey,+But diligence is a man’s precious treasure. 28  The path of righteousness leads to life;+Along its pathway there is no death.

Footnotes

Or “has no sense.”
Lit., “lie in wait for blood.”
Lit., “bread.”
Or “the soul of his domestic animal.”
Lit., “in want of heart.”
Lit., “mouth.”
Or “counsel.”
Or “in the same day.”
Lit., “covers over.”
Lit., “what is righteous.”
Lit., “those who are counselors of.”
Or “depresses him.”