PROVERBS 12 [†] Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but he who  z hates reproof is  a stupid.

2 A good man  b obtains favor from the LORD,

but a man of evil devices he condemns.

3 No one is established by wickedness,

but the root of  c the righteous will never be moved.

4[†]  d An excellent wife is  e the crown of her husband,

but she who  f brings shame is like  g rottenness in his bones.

5[†]  h The thoughts of the righteous are just;

the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

6 The words of the wicked  i lie in wait for blood,

but  j the mouth of the upright delivers them.

7  k The wicked are  l overthrown and are no more,

 m but the house of the righteous will stand.

8[†] A man is commended according to his good sense,

but one of twisted mind is  n despised.

9[†] Better to be lowly and have a servant

than to play the great man and lack bread.

10  o Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,

but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

11  p Whoever works his land  q will have plenty of bread,

 r but he who follows  s worthless pursuits lacks sense.

12[†] Whoever is wicked covets  t the spoil of evildoers,

but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

13 An evil man is ensnared  u by the transgression of his lips,

 v but the righteous escapes from trouble.

14 From the fruit of his mouth  w a man is satisfied with good,

 x and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.

15[†]  y The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

but a wise man listens to advice.

16[†]  z The vexation of a fool is known at once,

but the prudent ignores an insult.

17  a Whoever speaks [1] the truth gives honest evidence,

but  b a false witness utters deceit.

18[^][†]  c There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,

but the tongue of the wise brings  d healing.

19 Truthful lips endure forever,

but  e a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of  f those who devise evil,

but those who plan peace have joy.

21  g No ill befalls the righteous,

but the wicked are filled with trouble.

22[†]  h Lying lips are  i an abomination to the LORD,

 j but those who act faithfully are his delight.

23  k A prudent man conceals knowledge,

 k but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

24[†]  l The hand of the diligent will rule,

while the slothful will be  m put to forced labor.

25  n Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,

but a good word makes him glad.

26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, [2]

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27  o Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,

but the diligent man will get precious wealth. [3]

28  p In the path of righteousness is life,

and in its pathway there is no death.