Proverbs 12

1 Whoever loves instruction loves perception, but whoever hates correction is foolish.

2 One who finds favor with the Lord is better, but a lawbreaker will be passed over in silence.

3 A person will not succeed through lawlessness, but the roots of the righteous will not be pulled up.

4 A capable wife is a crown for her husband, but an evil-doing wife destroys her husband like a worm in wood.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are judgments, but the ungodly steer deceitful plans.

6 The words of the ungodly are deceitful, but the mouth of the upright rescues them.

7 Wherever the ungodly person turns, he disappears, but the houses of the righteous remain.

8 A man praises the mouth of one who understands, but a sluggish heart is mocked.

9 Better is a man without honor who serves himself than one who heaps honor on himself but lacks bread.

10 A righteous person has pity on the lives of his cattle, but the inward parts of the ungodly are merciless.

11 Whoever works his own land will be filled with bread, but those who pursue empty things lack good sense. Whoever delights in lingering over wine will leave dishonor in his own fortresses.

12 The desires of the ungodly are evil, but the roots of the devout are in strongholds.

13 Through the sin of his lips a sinner falls into traps, but a righteous person escapes from them. Whoever looks with gentleness will receive mercy, but whoever confronts people in the gates will crush souls.

14 A man’s soul will be filled with good things from the fruit of his mouth, and the return from his lips will be given to him.

15 The roads of fools are right in their own sight, but a wise person listens to advice.

16 A fool announces his anger that same day, but a shrewd person conceals his own dishonor.

17 A righteous person reports proven faithfulness, but a witness for unjust people is deceitful.

18 Some wound like a sword when they speak, but the tongues of the wise heal.

19 Truthful lips establish testimony, but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.

20 Deceit is in the heart of one who devises evil, but those who desire peace will rejoice.

21 Nothing unjust will please the righteous, but the ungodly will be filled with evils.

22 Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but one who practices faithfulness is acceptable to him.

23 A person who understands is a throne of perception, but the heart of fools will meet curses.

24 The hand of chosen people will rule easily, but deceitful people will become plunder.

25 A frightening word troubles a righteous man’s heart, but a good message gladdens him.

26 A discreet righteous person will be his own friend, but the judgments of the ungodly are harsh. Evils pursue sinners, and the road of the ungodly leads them astray.

27 A deceitful person will catch no prey, but a pure man is a precious possession.

28 Life is found on roads of righteousness, but the roads of those who hold grudges lead to death.