Proverbs 12:8-27

⁸People are appreciated for talking sense, but those with perverted minds are despised.

⁹Better to be a humble man serving himself than a boastful man who has nothing to eat.

¹⁰Good people look after their animals, but the care given by wicked is really cruelty.

¹¹If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase after worthless things you're stupid.

¹²Wicked people long for ill-gotten gains, but good people are productive themselves.

¹³The wicked trap themselves by their own sinful words, but good people escape trouble.

¹⁴What you say brings you rewards, and your work returns to bless you.

¹⁵Stupid people think they're on the right track, but if you're wise you listen to advice.

¹⁶Stupid people get angry immediately, but if you're sensible you ignore an insult.

¹⁷Whoever tells the truth is being honest, but a false witness tells lies.

¹⁸Some people's hasty words cut like a knife, but the words of the wise bring healing.

¹⁹Words of truth last forever, but lies are gone in a moment.

²⁰Deceit is in the mind of those planning evil, but those who plan peace have joy.

²¹No harm comes to the good, but trouble fills the wicked.

²²The Lord hates liars but is happy with those who are trustworthy.

²³If you're sensible, you don't show off your knowledge, but stupid people announce their stupidity.

²⁴Hard work brings leadership, but laziness brings slavery.

²⁵If you're anxious, you're weighed down, but an encouraging word will cheer you up.

²⁶Good people look out for their friends, but the way the wicked live leads them astray.

²⁷Lazy people don't catch their prey, but if you work hard you can become rich.