Proverbs 12:2-27

²Yahweh gives favor to a good man, but he condemns a man who makes evil plans.

³A person cannot be established by wickedness, but righteous people cannot be uprooted.

⁴A worthy wife is her husband's crown, but she who brings shame is like a disease that rots his bones.

⁵The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

⁶The words of wicked people are an ambush waiting for a chance to kill, but the words of the upright keep them safe.

⁷Wicked people are overthrown and they are gone, but the house of the righteous person will stand.

⁸A person is praised by how much wisdom he has, but the one who makes perverse choices is despised.

⁹Better to have an unimportant position—only being a servant— than to brag about your importance but have no food.

¹⁰The righteous person cares about the needs of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

¹¹The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases after worthless projects has no sense.

¹²The wicked person desires what evil men have stolen from others, but the fruit of righteous people comes from themselves.

¹³An evil person is trapped by his wicked talk, but the righteous person escapes from trouble.

¹⁴From the fruit of his words a person is filled with good things, just as the work of his hands rewards him.

¹⁵The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

¹⁶A fool shows his anger at once, but one who ignores an insult is prudent.

¹⁷The one who speaks the truth says what is right, but a false witness tells lies.

¹⁸The words of one who speaks rashly are like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

¹⁹Truthful lips last forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment.

²⁰There is deceit in the hearts of those who plan to do evil, but joy comes to the advisors of peace.

²¹No ill comes on the righteous person, but wicked people are filled with difficulties.

²²Yahweh hates lying lips, but those who live faithfully are his delight.

²³A prudent man conceals his knowledge, but the heart of fools shouts out folly.

²⁴The hand of the diligent will rule, but lazy people will be put to forced labor.

²⁵Anxiety in the heart of a person weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

²⁶The righteous person is a guide for his friend, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

²⁷Lazy people would not roast their own game, but the diligent man will obtain precious wealth.