Proverbs 12:4-27

⁴A worthy woman is the crown of her husband; But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

⁵The thoughts of the righteous are just; But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

⁶The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood; But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

⁷The wicked are overthrown, and are not; But the house of the righteous shall stand.

⁸A man shall be commended according to his wisdom; But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

⁹Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.

¹⁰A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

¹¹He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons is void of understanding.

¹²The wicked desireth the net of evil men; But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

¹³In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man; But the righteous shall come out of trouble.

¹⁴A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth; And the doings of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.

¹⁵The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.

¹⁶A fool’s vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.

¹⁷He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness; But a false witness, deceit.

¹⁸There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health.

¹⁹The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

²⁰Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; But to the counsellors of peace is joy.

²¹There shall no mischief happen to the righteous; But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

²²Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; But they that deal truly are his delight.

²³A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

²⁴The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; But the slothful shall be put under taskwork.

²⁵Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good word maketh it glad.

²⁶The righteous is a guide to his neighbor; But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.

²⁷The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of men is to the diligent.