Proverbs 12:1-28 VOICE

[1] Those who love discipline love knowledge, but fools hate any kind of correction. [2] The Eternal prefers those who do good, but He condemns those who plot evil. [3] Doing what is wrong keeps everyone off balance and insecure, but those who do right will never be uprooted. [4] A dignified wife brings honor to her husband, but a shameful wife is like decay eating away at his bones. [5] The thoughts of the right-living tend toward justice, but the guidance of the wicked is trickery and treachery. [6] The words of the wicked ambush from the shadows, seeking blood, but the speech of the honest keeps them free. [7] The wrongdoers are overthrown-no one is left! But the house of the right-living remains strong. [8] A person is commended for expressing insight, but a perverted heart is despised. [9] It is better to be overlooked and have a servant than to be pretentious and have nothing to eat. [10] Those who are righteous treat their animals humanely, but the compassion of the wicked is really inhumane. [11] Whoever works the land will have more than enough food, but whoever follows empty pursuits lacks sense. [12] The wicked envy what the evil plunder, but the root of the right-living produces fruit for all. [13] A wrongdoer is soon boxed in by his deceitful talk, but the one who does right escapes from trouble unharmed. [14] Words spoken wisely result in much good, and working with your hands pays a large reward. [15] Fools follow their own directions and think they are right, but wise people listen intently to advice. [16] A fool's anger is quickly evident, but a clever person knows how to hide his flaws. [17] A faithful witness speaks the truth, but a false witness utters lies. [18] Thoughtless words cut deeply like a thrusting sword, but the speech of the wise is a healing balm. [19] Truth spoken will stand forever, but lies survive only briefly. [20] Deceit darkens the hearts of those who plot evil, but advocates of peace have joy. [21] The right-living are not overcome with calamity, but wrongdoers have their fill of it. [22] Lying lips disgust the Eternal, but those who act faithfully delight Him. [23] A clever man is careful in revealing what he knows, but a fool betrays his incompetence. [24] The hand of the hard workers will one day rule, and slackers will be forced to labor. [25] The weight of worry drags us down, but a good word lightens our day. [26] Those who live right are good guides to those who follow, but wrongdoers will steer their friends down the wrong path. [27] Slackers don't take time to cook their food, but hard workers prize everything they have. [28] Life springs up along the path of integrity, and death has no place along its course.