Proverbs 12

12:1If you don’t want to learn, years of schooling will teach you very little. But if you want to be taught, there is no end to what you can learn. This includes being willing to accept discipline and correction and to learn from the wisdom of others. A person who refuses constructive criticism has a problem with pride. Such a person is unlikely to learn very much.

12:3To have deep roots and to be stable means to be successful. Real stability and success come only to those who do what is right. Their efforts stand the test of time: Yet sometimes it seems that wickedness does indeed bring success. We may Know people who cheated to pass the course or to get a larger tax refund— is this not success? And what about the person who ignores his family commitments and mistreats his workers but gets ahead in business? These apparent successes are only temporary. They are bought at the expense of character. Cheaters grow more and more dishonest, and those who hurt others become callous and cruel. In the long run, evil behavior does not lead to success; it leads only to more evil. Real success maintains personal integrity. If you are not a success by God’s standards, you have not achieved true success. (See the chart in chapter 19, p. 1035.)

12:13Evil people twist the facts to support their claims. Those who deo this will eventually be trapped by their own lies. But for those who always tell the truth, the facts—plain and unvarnished—give an unshakable defense. If you find that you always have to defend yourself to others, maybe you are not being honest. (See the chart in chapter 20, p. 1037.)

12:16When someone annoys or insults you, it is natural to retaliate. But this solves nothing and only encourages trouble. Instead, stay calm and answer slowly and quietly. Your positive response will achieve positive results. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer deflects anger.”

12:19Truth is always timely; it applies today and in the future. 9 The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.

12:23Wise people have a quiet confidence. Unstable people (fools) feel the need to prove themselves, but wise people don’t have to prove anything. They know they are capable, so they can get on with their work. Beware of showing off. If you are modest, people may not notice you at first, but they will respect you later.

12:26Or The godly are cautious in friendship; or The godly are freed from evil. is uncertain. 13:1 Hebrew A wise son accepts his father’s discipline.

12:27The diligent make wise use of their possessions and resources; the lazy waste them. Waste has become a way of life for many who live in a land of plenty. Waste is poor stewardship. Make good use of everything God has given you, and prize it.

12:28For many, death is a darkened door at the end of life, a passageway to an unknown and feared destiny. But for God’s people, death is a bright pathway to a new and better life. So why do we fear death? Is it fear of the pain we expect, the separation from loved ones, or the unknown? God can help us deal with those fears. He has shown us that death is not final but just another step in the eternal life we received when we followed him.