Proverbs 12:2-15

A good man will obtain favor from the LORD, But He will condemn a man who devises evil. A man will not be established by wickedness, But the root of the [consistently] righteous will not be moved. A virtuous and excellent wife [worthy of honor] is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him [with her foolishness] is like rottenness in his bones. [Prov 31:23; 1 Cor 11:7] The thoughts and purposes of the [consistently] righteous are just (honest, reliable), But the counsels and schemes of the wicked are deceitful. The [malevolent] words of the wicked lie in wait for [innocent] blood [to slander], But the mouth of the upright will rescue and protect them. The wicked are overthrown [by their evil] and are no more, But the house of the [consistently] righteous will stand [securely]. A man will be commended according to his insight and sound judgment, But the one who is of a perverse mind will be despised. Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant, Than he who [boastfully] honors himself [pretending to be what he is not] and lacks bread. A righteous man has kind regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. [Deut 25:4] He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment. The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields richer fruit. An evil man is [dangerously] ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will escape from trouble. A man will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him [as a harvest]. The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes, But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel. [Prov 3:7; 9:9; 21:2]