Proverbs 12

If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it—
    how shortsighted to refuse correction!

To learn, you must love discipline;
    it is stupid to hate correction.

A good person basks in the delight of God,
    and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.

The Lord approves of those who are good,
    but he condemns those who plan wickedness.

You can’t find firm footing in a swamp,
    but life rooted in God stands firm.

Wickedness never brings stability,
    but the godly have deep roots.

A hearty wife invigorates her husband,
    but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones.

A worthy wife is a crown for her husband,
    but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.

The thinking of principled people makes for justice;
    the plots of degenerates corrupt.

The plans of the godly are just;
    the advice of the wicked is treacherous.

The words of the wicked kill;
    the speech of the upright saves.

The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,
    but the words of the godly save lives.

Wicked people fall to pieces—there’s nothing to them;
    the homes of good people hold together.

The wicked die and disappear,
    but the family of the godly stands firm.

A person who talks sense is honored;
    airheads are held in contempt.

A sensible person wins admiration,
    but a warped mind is despised.

Better to be ordinary and work for a living
    than act important and starve in the process.

Better to be an ordinary person with a servant
    than to be self-important but have no food.

Good people are good to their animals;
    the “good-hearted” bad people kick and abuse them.

The godly care for their animals,
    but the wicked are always cruel.

The one who stays on the job has food on the table;
    the witless chase whims and fancies.

A hard worker has plenty of food,
    but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.

What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin,
    while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life.

Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,
    but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.

The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;
    the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.

The wicked are trapped by their own words,
    but the godly escape such trouble.

Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;
    well-done work has its own reward.

Wise words bring many benefits,
    and hard work brings rewards.

Fools are headstrong and do what they like;
    wise people take advice.

Fools think their own way is right,
    but the wise listen to others.

Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;
    the prudent quietly shrug off insults.

A fool is quick-tempered,
    but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

Truthful witness by a good person clears the air,
    but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.

An honest witness tells the truth;
    a false witness tells lies.

Rash language cuts and maims,
    but there is healing in the words of the wise.

Some people make cutting remarks,
    but the words of the wise bring healing.

Truth lasts;
    lies are here today, gone tomorrow.

Truthful words stand the test of time,
    but lies are soon exposed.

Evil scheming distorts the schemer;
    peace-planning brings joy to the planner.

Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
    joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

No evil can overwhelm a good person,
    but the wicked have their hands full of it.

No harm comes to the godly,
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

God can’t stomach liars;
    he loves the company of those who keep their word.

The Lord detests lying lips,
    but he delights in those who tell the truth.

Prudent people don’t flaunt their knowledge;
    talkative fools broadcast their silliness.

The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
    but fools broadcast their foolishness.

The diligent find freedom in their work;
    the lazy are oppressed by work.

Work hard and become a leader;
    be lazy and become a slave.

Worry weighs us down;
    a cheerful word picks us up.

Worry weighs a person down;
    an encouraging word cheers a person up.

A good person survives misfortune,
    but a wicked life invites disaster.

The godly give good advice to their friends;^[a]
    the wicked lead them astray.

A lazy life is an empty life,
    but “early to rise” gets the job done.

Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch,
    but the diligent make use of everything they find.

Good men and women travel right into life;
    sin’s detours take you straight to hell.