Proverbs 10:12-23

English Standard Version

¹² Hatred stirs up strife,
    but ^(A)love covers all offenses.
¹³ On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
    but ^(B)a rod is for the back of him who ^(C)lacks sense.
¹⁴ The wise ^(D)lay up knowledge,
    but ^(E)the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
^15 (F)A rich man's wealth is his strong city;
    the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
¹⁶ The wage of the righteous leads ^(G)to life,
    the gain of the wicked to sin.
¹⁷ Whoever heeds instruction is on ^(H)the path to life,
    but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
¹⁸ The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
    and whoever utters slander is a fool.
^19 (I)When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
    ^(J)but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is ^(K)choice silver;
    the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
²¹ The lips of the righteous feed many,
    but fools die for ^(L)lack of sense.
^22 (M)The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
    and he adds no sorrow with it.^[a]
23 Doing wrong is ^(N)like a joke to a fool,
    but ^(O)wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.