Proverbs 12

Oftentimes people will comment that the "bad guys" seem to get it all.  Evil in our society seems to get repaid with riches and clout.   We read about the celebrities, entertainers, professional sports stars who amass large amounts of money and copious amounts of things!  And you see/hear about the widows, orphans, veterans who are suffering...barely getting enough to get by.   Some might even wonder if God notices the seeming injustice or is He more apt to bless the rich and famous.  Well...hopefully after reading Proverbs 11 you have a better understanding of how God sees all of this.  No, riches and nice cars are not sinful, but a heart that is devoted to these things is opposite of what God wants from each of us.  Reread Psalms 11...Good lessons there!

Now, on to Proverbs 12.  

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If You Love Learning

1If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it—

how shortsighted to refuse correction!

2A good person basks in the delight of God,

and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.

3You can’t find firm footing in a swamp,

but life rooted in God stands firm.

4A hearty wife invigorates her husband,

but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones.

5The thinking of principled people makes for justice;

the plots of degenerates corrupt.

6The words of the wicked kill;

the speech of the upright saves.

7Wicked people fall to pieces—there’s nothing to them;

the homes of good people hold together.

8A person who talks sense is honored;

airheads are held in contempt.

9Better to be ordinary and work for a living

than act important and starve in the process.

10Good people are good to their animals;

the “good-hearted” bad people kick and abuse them.

11The one who stays on the job has food on the table;

the witless chase whims and fancies.

12What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin,

while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life.

Wise People Take Advice

13The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;

the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.

14Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;

well-done work has its own reward.

15Fools are headstrong and do what they like;

wise people take advice.

16Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;

the prudent quietly shrug off insults.

17Truthful witness by a good person clears the air,

but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.

18Rash language cuts and maims,

but there is healing in the words of the wise.

19Truth lasts;

lies are here today, gone tomorrow.

20Evil scheming distorts the schemer;

peace-planning brings joy to the planner.

21No evil can overwhelm a good person,

but the wicked have their hands full of it.

22God can’t stomach liars;

he loves the company of those who keep their word.

23Prudent people don’t flaunt their knowledge;

talkative fools broadcast their silliness.

24The diligent find freedom in their work;

the lazy are oppressed by work.

25Worry weighs us down;

a cheerful word picks us up.

26A good person survives misfortune,

but a wicked life invites disaster.

27A lazy life is an empty life,

but “early to rise” gets the job done.

28Good men and women travel right into life;

sin’s detours take you straight to hell.