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The Bible · 640 of 1189

Proverbs 12

1.Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. 2. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. 3. A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. 4. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. 5. The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. 6. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. 7. The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. 8. A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. 9. He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. 10. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. 12. The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. 13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. 14. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him. 15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. 16. A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. 17. He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. 18. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 19. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. 21. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. 22. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. 23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. 24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. 25. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. 26. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. 27. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. 28. In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Asked of Guide

Why does Proverbs keep pairing virtues with vices in short contrasts?

Proverbs uses tight antithetical pairs to make moral lessons immediate and memorable: each couplet sets a concrete behavior beside its consequence, for example “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule” versus “the slothful shall be under tribute.” That structure trains the reader to observe cause and effect in daily life and to recognize wisdom as practical habits rather than abstract doctrines.

The chapter insists moral truth shows itself in outcomes—security, praise, life—so paying attention to small choices matters; see Ecclesiastes and Jesus’ teaching where results reveal a way’s fruit. That focus on observable fruit keeps the book aimed at formation: do this, and a pattern of flourishing follows.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.