Proverbs 12
1599 Geneva Bible
12 1 He that loveth instruction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth correction, is a fool.
2 A good man getteth favor of the Lord: but the man of wicked imaginations will he condemn.
3 A man cannot be established by wickedness: but the [a]root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A [b]virtuous woman is the crown of her husband: but she that maketh him ashamed, is as corruption in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the just are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The talking of the wicked is to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the righteous will [c]deliver them.
7 God overthroweth the wicked, and they are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended for his wisdom: but the froward of heart shall be despised.
9 He that is despised, [d]and is his own servant, is better than he that boasteth himself, and lacketh bread.
10 A righteous man [e]regardeth the life of his beast: but the mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 (A)He that tilleth his land, shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth the idle, is destitute of [f]understanding.
12 The wicked desireth the [g]net of evils: but the [h]root of the righteous giveth fruit.
13 The evil man is snared by the wickedness of his lips, but the just shall come out of adversity.
14 A man shall be satiate with good things by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man’s hands shall God give unto him.
15 The way of a fool is [i]right in his own eyes: but he that heareth in counsel, is wise.
16 A fool in a day shall be known by his anger: but he [j]that covereth shame, is wise.
17 He that speaketh truth, will show righteousness: but a false witness useth deceit.
18 (B)There is that speaketh words like the prickings of [k]a sword: but the tongue of wise men is health.
19 The lip of truth shall be stable forever: but a lying tongue varieth incontinently.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace shall be joy.
21 There shall none iniquity come to the just: but the wicked are full of evil.
22 The lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.
23 A wise man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of the fools publisheth foolishness.
24 (C)The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the idle shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man doth bring it down: but a [l]good word rejoice it.
26 The righteous [m]is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked will deceive them.
27 The deceitful man roasteth not that he [n]took in hunting: but the riches of the diligent man are precious.
28 Life is in the way of righteousness, and in that pathway there is no death.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:3 They are so grounded in the favor of God, that their root shall prosper continually.
- Proverbs 12:4 Hebrew, strong, or painful.
- Proverbs 12:6 As their conscience is upright, so shall they be able to speak for themselves against their accusers.
- Proverbs 12:9 The poor man that is contemned and yet liveth of his own travail.
- Proverbs 12:10 Is merciful, even to the very beast that doeth him service.
- Proverbs 12:11 Or, defense.
- Proverbs 12:12 Continually imagineth means how to do harm to others.
- Proverbs 12:12 Meaning, their heart within, which is upright, and doeth good to all.
- Proverbs 12:15 He standeth in his own conceit, and condemneth all others in respect of himself.
- Proverbs 12:16 Which bridleth his affections.
- Proverbs 12:18 Which seek nothing more than to provoke others to anger.
- Proverbs 12:25 That is, words of comfort, or, a cheerful mind which is declared by his words, rejoiceth a man, as a covetous mind killeth him.
- Proverbs 12:26 That is, more liberal in giving.
- Proverbs 12:27 Although he get much by unlawful means, yet will he not spend it upon himself.
Proverbs 12
King James Version
12 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 A good man obtaineth favour 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 maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: 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 despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10 A righteous man regardeth 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 recompence 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 presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lip 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 counsellors of peace is joy.
21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 Lying lips are 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 bear 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 neighbour: 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
The Message
If You Love Learning
12 If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it—
how shortsighted to refuse correction!
2 A good person basks in the delight of God,
and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.
3 You can’t find firm footing in a swamp,
but life rooted in God stands firm.
4 A hearty wife invigorates her husband,
but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones.
5 The thinking of principled people makes for justice;
the plots of degenerates corrupt.
6 The words of the wicked kill;
the speech of the upright saves.
7 Wicked people fall to pieces—there’s nothing to them;
the homes of good people hold together.
8 A person who talks sense is honored;
airheads are held in contempt.
9 Better to be ordinary and work for a living
than act important and starve in the process.
10 Good people are good to their animals;
the “good-hearted” bad people kick and abuse them.
11 The one who stays on the job has food on the table;
the witless chase whims and fancies.
12 What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin,
while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life.
Wise People Take Advice
13 The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;
the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.
14 Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;
well-done work has its own reward.
15 Fools are headstrong and do what they like;
wise people take advice.
16 Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;
the prudent quietly shrug off insults.
17 Truthful witness by a good person clears the air,
but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.
18 Rash language cuts and maims,
but there is healing in the words of the wise.
19 Truth lasts;
lies are here today, gone tomorrow.
20 Evil scheming distorts the schemer;
peace-planning brings joy to the planner.
21 No evil can overwhelm a good person,
but the wicked have their hands full of it.
22 God can’t stomach liars;
he loves the company of those who keep their word.
23 Prudent people don’t flaunt their knowledge;
talkative fools broadcast their silliness.
24 The diligent find freedom in their work;
the lazy are oppressed by work.
25 Worry weighs us down;
a cheerful word picks us up.
26 A good person survives misfortune,
but a wicked life invites disaster.
27 A lazy life is an empty life,
but “early to rise” gets the job done.
28 Good men and women travel right into life;
sin’s detours take you straight to hell.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson