Proverbs 12-14
New International Reader's Version
12 Anyone who loves correction loves knowledge.
Anyone who hates to be corrected is stupid.
2 The Lord blesses anyone who does good.
But he judges anyone who plans to do evil.
3 No one can become strong and steady by doing evil.
But if people do what is right, they can’t be removed from the land.
4 An excellent woman is her husband’s crown.
But a wife who brings shame is like sickness in his bones.
5 The plans of godly people are right.
But the advice of sinners will lead you the wrong way.
6 The words of those who are evil hide and wait to spill people’s blood.
But the speech of those who are honest saves them from traps like that.
7 Sinners are destroyed and taken away.
But the houses of godly people stand firm.
8 A person is praised for how wise they are.
But people hate anyone who has a twisted mind.
9 Being nobody and having a servant
is better than pretending to be somebody and having no food.
10 Those who do what is right take good care of their animals.
But the kindest acts of those who do wrong are mean.
11 Those who farm their land will have plenty of food.
But those who chase dreams have no sense.
12 Those who do what is wrong are safe for just a while.
But those who do what is right last forever.
13 Those who do evil are trapped by their sinful talk.
But those who have done no wrong escape trouble.
14 Many good things come from what people say.
And the work of their hands rewards them.
15 The way of foolish people seems right to them.
But those who are wise listen to advice.
16 Foolish people are easily upset.
But wise people pay no attention to hurtful words.
17 An honest witness tells the truth.
But a dishonest witness tells lies.
18 The words of thoughtless people cut like swords.
But the tongue of wise people brings healing.
19 Truthful words last forever.
But lies last for only a moment.
20 There are lies in the hearts of those who plan evil.
But there is joy for those who work to bring peace.
21 No harm comes to godly people.
But sinners have all the trouble they can handle.
22 The Lord hates those whose lips tell lies.
But he is pleased with people who tell the truth.
23 Wise people keep their knowledge to themselves.
But the hearts of foolish people shout foolish things.
24 Hands that work hard will rule.
But people who are lazy will be forced to work.
25 Worry makes the heart heavy.
But a kind word cheers it up.
26 Godly people are careful about the friends they choose.
But the way of sinners leads them down the wrong path.
27 Lazy people do not even cook what they catch.
But those who work hard eat their fill of what is hunted.
28 There is life in doing what is right.
Along that path you will never die.
13 A wise son pays attention to what his father teaches him.
But anyone who makes fun of others doesn’t listen to warnings.
2 The good things people say benefit them.
But liars love to hurt others.
3 Those who guard what they say guard their lives.
But those who speak without thinking will be destroyed.
4 People who refuse to work want things and get nothing.
But the desires of people who work hard are completely satisfied.
5 Those who do right hate what is false.
But those who do wrong stink and bring shame on themselves.
6 Doing right guards those who are honest.
But evil destroys those who are sinful.
7 Some people pretend to be rich but have nothing.
Others pretend to be poor but have great wealth.
8 A person’s riches might save their life.
But a poor person is not able to do anything about danger.
9 The lights of godly people shine brightly.
But the lamps of sinners are blown out.
10 Where there is arguing, there is pride.
But those who take advice are wise.
11 Money gained in the wrong way disappears.
But money gathered little by little grows.
12 Hope that is put off makes one sick at heart.
But a desire that is met is like a tree of life.
13 Anyone who hates what they are taught will pay for it later.
But a person who respects a command will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of wise people is like a fountain that gives life.
It turns those who listen to it away from the jaws of death.
15 Good judgment wins favor.
But the way of liars leads to their ruin.
16 Wise people act with knowledge.
But foolish people show how foolish they are.
17 An evil messenger gets into trouble.
But a trusted messenger brings healing.
18 Those who turn away from their training become poor and ashamed.
But those who accept warnings are honored.
19 A desire that is met is like something that tastes sweet.
But foolish people hate to turn away from evil.
20 Walk with wise people and become wise.
A companion of foolish people suffers harm.
21 Hard times chase those who are sinful.
But those who do right are rewarded with good things.
22 A good person leaves what they own to their children and grandchildren.
But a sinner’s wealth is stored up for those who do right.
23 An unplowed field produces food for poor people.
But those who treat them badly destroy it all.
24 Those who don’t correct their children hate them.
But those who love them are careful to correct them.
25 Those who do right eat until they are full.
But the stomachs of those who do wrong go hungry.
14 A wise woman builds her house.
But a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.
2 Whoever has respect for the Lord lives a good life.
But those who hate him walk down an evil path.
3 The proud words of a foolish person sting like a whip.
But the things wise people say keep them safe.
4 Where there are no oxen, the feed box is empty.
But a strong ox brings in huge harvests.
5 An honest witness does not lie.
But a dishonest witness pours out lies.
6 Those who make fun of others look for wisdom and don’t find it.
But knowledge comes easily to those who understand what is right.
7 Stay away from a foolish person.
You won’t find knowledge in what they say.
8 People are wise and understanding when they think about the way they live.
But people are foolish when their foolish ways trick them.
9 Foolish people laugh at making things right when they sin.
But honest people try to do the right thing.
10 Each heart knows its own sadness.
And no one else can share its joy.
11 The houses of sinners will be destroyed.
But the tents of honest people will stand firm.
12 There is a way that appears to be right.
But in the end it leads to death.
13 Even when you laugh, your heart can be hurting.
And your joy can end in sadness.
14 Those who aren’t faithful will be paid back
for what they’ve done.
And good people will receive rewards
for how they’ve lived.
15 A childish person believes anything.
But a wise person thinks about how they live.
16 A wise person has respect for the Lord and avoids evil.
But a foolish person has a bad temper and yet feels secure.
17 Anyone who gets angry quickly does foolish things.
And a person who is tricky is hated.
18 Childish people act in keeping with their foolish ways.
But knowledge makes wise people feel like kings.
19 Evil people will bow down in front of good people.
And those who do wrong will bow down at the gates of those who do right.
20 Poor people are avoided even by their neighbors.
But rich people have many friends.
21 It is a sin to hate your neighbor.
But blessed is the person who is kind to those in need.
22 Those who plan evil go down the wrong path.
But those who plan good find love and truth.
23 All hard work pays off.
But if all you do is talk, you will be poor.
24 The wealth of wise people is their crown.
But the foolish ways of foolish people lead to what is foolish.
25 An honest witness saves lives.
But a dishonest witness tells lies.
26 Anyone who shows respect for the Lord has a strong tower.
It will be a safe place for their children.
27 Respect for the Lord is like a fountain that gives life.
It turns you away from the jaws of death.
28 A large population is a king’s glory.
But a prince without followers is destroyed.
29 Anyone who is patient has great understanding.
But anyone who gets angry quickly shows how foolish they are.
30 A peaceful heart gives life to the body.
But jealousy rots the bones.
31 Anyone who crushes poor people makes fun of their Maker.
But anyone who is kind to those in need honors God.
32 When trouble comes, sinners are brought down.
But godly people seek safety in God even as they die.
33 Wisdom rests in the hearts of those who understand what is right.
And even among foolish people she makes herself known.
34 Doing what is right lifts people up.
But sin brings judgment to any nation.
35 A king is pleased with a wise servant.
But a servant who is full of shame stirs up the king’s anger.
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