#proverbs 12

Loving Discipline and Knowledge

The thoughts of the righteous are just;

the counsel of the wicked is deceitful.

Proverbs 12:5

The “thoughts of the righteous” and the “counsel of the wicked” bring to my mind the image of a just and fair king who has a corrupt advisor. An example that immediately comes to my mind is from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. There is King Theoden of Rohan and his wicked, greedy advisor, Wormtongue. Wormtongue lied to the king and subtly influenced the king through his deceiful counsel when the king was making decisions. This wicked advisor wanted to undermine the king’s authority and take the kingdom for his true master, an evil and cruel leader. 

Later, the king’s mind is freed from wicked advisor’s influence through the counsel of an upright helper, and Wormtongue is kicked out – but not killed. King Theoden showed his former evil advisor both mercy and justice. Without this wicked and deceitful advisor, the king was able to think clearly and with rule with justice and peace in mind. 

That’s just an example from a fictional story, but it helps illustrate these verses in a physical way. The Bible, however, is not a fictional book, and it shows us the path to salvation through Christ Jesus. We need to learn what these verses mean on more than just a physical and surface level. We need to see these things in a spiritual way from God’s point of view. 

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More Examples of Righteous Behavior

1 Any who love knowledge want to be told when they are wrong. It is stupid to hate being corrected.

2 The Lord is pleased with good people, but condemns those who plan evil.

3 Wickedness does not give security, but righteous people stand firm.

4 A good wife is her husband's pride and joy; but a wife who brings shame on her husband is like a cancer in his bones.

5 Honest people will treat you fairly; the wicked only want to deceive you.

6 The words of the wicked are murderous, but the words of the righteous rescue those who are threatened.

7 The wicked meet their downfall and leave no descendants, but the families of the righteous live on.

8 If you are intelligent, you will be praised; if you are stupid, people will look down on you.

9 It is better to be an ordinary person working for a living than to play the part of someone great but go hungry.

10 Good people take care of their animals, but wicked people are cruel to theirs.

11 A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat, but it is stupid to waste time on useless projects.

12 All that wicked people want is to find evil things to do, but the righteous stand firm.

13 The wicked are trapped by their own words, but honest people get themselves out of trouble.

14 Your reward depends on what you say and what you do; you will get what you deserve.

15 Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice.

16 When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be known. Smart people will ignore an insult.

17 When you tell the truth, justice is done, but lies lead to injustice.

18 Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.

19 A lie has a short life, but truth lives on forever.

20 Those who plan evil are in for a rude surprise, but those who work for good will find happiness.

21 Nothing bad happens to righteous people, but the wicked have nothing but trouble.

22 The Lord hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.

23 Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance.

24 Hard work will give you power; being lazy will make you a slave.

25 Worry can rob you of happiness, but kind words will cheer you up.

26 The righteous person is a guide to his friend, but the path of the wicked leads them astray.

27 If you are lazy, you will never get what you are after, but if you work hard, you will get a fortune.

Loving Discipline and Knowledge

1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge, but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

2 A good man obtaineth favor 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 causeth shame is rottenness in his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

6 The counsels of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood, but the mouths of the upright shall deliver them.

7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, 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 lowly and hath a servant is better off than he that honoreth himself and lacketh bread.

10 A righteous man hath regard for 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 recompense 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 known at once, but a prudent man covereth shame.

17 He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.

18 There is he that speaketh like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is healing.

19 The lips 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 counselors of peace there is joy.

21 There shall no evil happen to the just, but the wicked shall be filled with troubles.

22 Lying lips are an 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 exercise 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 neighbor, 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. — Proverbs 12 | 21st Century King James Version (KJV21) 21st Century King James Version Copyright © 1994 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc. Cross References: Genesis 49:15; Deuteronomy 30:15; 2 Samuel 15:3; 1 Kings 13:18; 2 Chronicles 22:4; Job 5:2; Job 34:11; Psalm 50:17; Psalm 57:4; Proverbs 1:11; Proverbs 6:19; Proverbs 6:32; Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 10:25; Proverbs 11:30; Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 15:13; Proverbs 16:29; Isaiah 19:14; Matthew 7:24; Matthew 15:8; 1 Corinthians 9:9; 1 Corinthians 11:7; 1 Peter 3:13; 2 Peter 2:9; Revelation 2:15