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12 Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof [is] brutish.

The good bringeth forth favour from Jehovah, And the man of wicked devices He condemneth.

A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.

A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.

The thoughts of the righteous [are] justice, The counsels of the wicked -- deceit.

The words of the wicked [are]: `Lay wait for blood,' And the mouth of the upright delivereth them.

Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous standeth.

According to his wisdom is a man praised, And the perverted of heart becometh despised.

Better [is] the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.

10 The righteous knoweth the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.

11 Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,

12 The wicked hath desired the net of evil doers, And the root of the righteous giveth.

13 In transgression of the lips [is] the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress.

14 From the fruit of the mouth [is] one satisfied [with] good, And the deed of man's hands returneth to him.

15 The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes, And whoso is hearkening to counsel [is] wise.

16 The fool -- in a day is his anger known, And the prudent is covering shame.

17 Whoso uttereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, And a false witness -- deceit.

18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.

19 The lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment -- a tongue of falsehood.

20 Deceit [is] in the heart of those devising evil, And to those counselling peace [is] joy.

21 No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.

22 An abomination to Jehovah [are] lying lips, And stedfast doers [are] his delight.

23 A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.

24 The hand of the diligent ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary.

25 Sorrow in the heart of a man boweth down, And a good word maketh him glad.

26 The righteous searcheth his companion, And the way of the wicked causeth them to err.

27 The slothful roasteth not his hunting, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.

28 In the path of righteousness [is] life, And in the way of [that] path [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.