ESV - Proverbs Chapter 12 to 13

12 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. ²A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns. ³No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. ⁴An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. ⁵The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. ⁶The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. ⁷The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. ⁸A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. ⁹Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. ¹⁰Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. ¹¹Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. ¹²Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. ¹³An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. ¹⁴From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him. ¹⁵The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. ¹⁶The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. ¹⁷Whoever speaks[1] the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. ¹⁸There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. ¹⁹Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. ²⁰Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. ²¹No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. ²²Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. ²³A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. ²⁴The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. ²⁵Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. ²⁶One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,[2] but the way of the wicked leads them astray. ²⁷Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.^[3]²⁸In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.

[1] Hebrew breathes out [2] Or The righteous chooses his friends carefully [3] Or but diligence is precious wealth

13 13:1 A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. ²From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. ³Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. ⁴The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. ⁵The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame[4] and disgrace. ⁶Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked. ⁷One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. ⁸The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat. ⁹The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out. ¹⁰By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. ¹¹Wealth gained hastily[5] will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. ¹²Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. ¹³Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. ¹⁴The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. ¹⁵Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.^[6]¹⁶In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. ¹⁷A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. ¹⁸Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored. ¹⁹A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools. ²⁰Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. ²¹Disaster[7] pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good. ²²A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous. ²³The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice. ²⁴Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.^[8]²⁵The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

[4] Or stench [5] Or by fraud [6] Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew is rugged, or is an enduring rut [7] Or Evil [8] Or who loves him disciplines him early