Proverbs Chapter 12 to 13 : Easy-to-Read Version  | SearchSearch | Next Version | Previous Page | Next Page |

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12 If a person wants to be wise, then he is not angry if someone tells him when he does wrong. The person who hates to be told that he is wrong is stupid. 2The Lord is happy with a good person. But the Lord judges an evil person to be guilty. 3Evil people are never safe. But good people will be safe and secure. 4A husband is happy and proud with a good wife. But if a woman makes her husband ashamed, then she is like a sickness in his body. 5Good people are fair and honest in the things they plan to do. But don’t trust the things an evil person tells you. 6Evil people use their words to hurt other people. But the words of a good person can save people from danger. 7Evil people are destroyed and there is nothing left. But people remember a good man long after he is gone. 8People praise a wise man. But people don’t respect a stupid person. 9It is better to be a person who is not important but works hard than to be a person who pretends to be important but has no food. 10A good man cares for his animals. But evil people can’t be kind. 11The farmer that works with his land will have enough food. But the person who wastes time on worthless ideas is foolish. 12Evil people always want to find wrong things to do. But good people have strength that goes deep like roots. 13An evil person says foolish things and is trapped by his words. But a good person escapes from that kind of trouble. 14A person is rewarded because of the good things that he says. In the same way, the work he does gives him profit. 15A foolish person always thinks his own way is best. But a wise person listens to the things other people tell him. 16A foolish person is easily upset. But a smart* person quickly forgives other people if they say something wrong. 17If a person tells the truth, then he is honest in the things he says. But if a person lies, then that leads to trouble. 18If a person speaks words without thinking, then those words can hurt like a sword. But a wise person is careful with the things he says. His words can heal those hurts. 19If a person tells a lie, then those words are wasted quickly. But the truth will live forever. 20Evil people always want to cause trouble. But people who work for peace will be happy. 21Good people will be kept safe by the Lord. But evil people will have many troubles. 22The Lord hates people who tell lies. But the Lord is happy with people who tell the truth. 23A smart* person doesn’t tell everything he knows. But a foolish person tells everything and shows he is a fool. 24People who work hard will be put in charge of other workers. But a lazy person will have to work like a slave. 25Worry can take away a person’s happiness. But a kind word can make a person happy. 26A good man is very careful about the friends he chooses. But evil people always choose the wrong friends. 27A lazy person won’t go after the things he wants. But riches come to the person who works hard. 28If you live right, then you will have true life. That is the way to live forever.

smart Or “crafty.”


13 A wise son listens carefully when his father tells him what to do. But a proud person does not listen when people try to correct him. 2Good people are rewarded for the good things they say. But evil people always want to do wrong.  3The person who is careful about the things he says will save his life. But the person who speaks without thinking will be destroyed. 4The lazy person wants things, but he can never get them. But people who work hard will get the things they want. 5Good people hate lies. Evil people will be made ashamed. 6Goodness protects a good, honest person. But evil defeats the person that loves to sin. 7Some people act like they are rich, but they have nothing. Other people act like they are poor, but they are really rich. 8A rich person might have to pay a ransom to save his life. But poor people never receive threats like that. 9A good person is like a light that shines brightly. But an evil person is like a light that becomes dark. 10People who think they are better than other people only cause trouble. But people who listen to the things other people tell them are wise. 11If a person cheats to get money, then that money will soon be gone. But the person who earns his money will make it grow more and more. 12If there is no hope, then the heart is sad. If the thing you wish for happens, then you are filled with joy. 13If a person refuses to listen when other people try to help him, then he will bring trouble to himself. But the person who respects the things other people tell him, will be rewarded. 14The teachings of a wise person give life. Those words will help you in times of trouble. 15People like a person with good sense. But life is hard for a person who can’t be trusted. 16A wise person always thinks before he does something. But a foolish person shows he is stupid by the things he does. 17If a messenger cannot be trusted, then there will be trouble around him. But if a person can be trusted, then there will be peace. 18If a person refuses to learn from his mistakes, then he will be poor and ashamed. But if a person listens when he is criticized or punished, then he will profit. 19If a person wants something and then gets it, he will be very happy. But stupid people only want evil, and they refuse to change. 20Be friends with people who are wise, and you will become wise. But if you choose fools to be your friends, then you will have trouble. 21Trouble chases sinners wherever they go. But good things happen to good people. 22A good person will have wealth to give to his children and grandchildren. And in the end, good people will get all the things that evil people have. 23A poor man might have good land that can produce plenty of food. But he makes bad decisions and stays hungry. 24If a person truly loves his children, then he will correct them when they are wrong. If you love your son, then you will be careful to teach him the right way. 25Good people will have what they really need. But evil people will always be without the most important thing.

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