Family Prayer
in the Early Evening

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but he who hates reproof is stupid.
² A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
    but a man of evil devices he condemns.
³ No one is established by wickedness,
    but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
⁴ An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
    but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
⁵ The thoughts of the righteous are just;
    the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
⁶ The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
⁷ The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
    but the house of the righteous will stand.
⁸ A man is commended according to his good sense,
    but one of twisted mind is despised.
⁹ Better to be lowly and have a servant
    than to play the great man and lack bread.
¹⁰ Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
    but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
¹¹ Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
    but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
¹² Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
¹³ An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
    but the righteous escapes from trouble.
¹⁴ From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,
    and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but a wise man listens to advice.
¹⁶ The vexation of a fool is known at once,
    but the prudent ignores an insult.
¹⁷ Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
    but a false witness utters deceit.
¹⁸ There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
    but those who plan peace have joy.
²¹ No ill befalls the righteous,
    but the wicked are filled with trouble.
²² Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.
²³ A prudent man conceals knowledge,
    but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
²⁴ The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
²⁵ Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.
²⁶ One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
²⁷ Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
    but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
²⁸ In the path of righteousness is life,
    and in its pathway there is no death.