Proverbs 12
International Children’s Bible
12 Anyone who loves learning accepts being corrected.
But a person who hates being corrected is stupid.
2 The Lord is pleased with a good person.
But he will punish anyone who plans evil.
3 Doing evil brings a person no safety at all.
But a good person has safety and security.
4 A good wife is like a crown for her husband.
But a disgraceful wife is like a disease in his bones.
5 The plans that good people make are fair.
But the advice of the wicked will trick you.
6 The wicked talk of killing people.
But the words of good people will save them.
7 Wicked people die and leave nothing behind.
But a good man’s family goes on.
8 A wise person is praised.
But a stupid person is not respected.
9 A person might not be important but still have a servant.
He is better off than someone who acts important but has no food.
10 A good man takes care of his animals.
But even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 The person who works his land will have plenty of food.
But the one who chases useless dreams isn’t wise.
12 Evil people want what other evil people have stolen.
But good people want to give to others.
13 Evil people are trapped by their evil talk.
But good people stay out of trouble.
14 A person will be rewarded for what he says.
And he will also be rewarded for what he does.
15 A foolish person thinks he is doing right.
But a wise person listens to advice.
16 A foolish person quickly shows that he is upset.
But a wise person ignores an insult.
17 An honest witness tells the truth.
But a dishonest witness tells lies.
18 Careless words stab like a sword.
But wise words bring healing.
19 Truth will last forever.
But lies last only a moment.
20 Those who plan evil mean to lie.
But those who plan peace will be happy.
21 No harm comes to a good person.
But an evil person’s life is full of trouble.
22 The Lord hates those who tell lies.
But he is pleased with those who do what they promise.
23 A wise person keeps what he knows to himself.
But a foolish person shows how foolish he is.
24 Hard workers will become leaders.
But those who are lazy will be slaves.
25 Worry makes a person feel as if he is carrying a heavy load.
But a kind word cheers up a person.
26 A good person takes advice from his friends.
But an evil person is easily led to do wrong.
27 A lazy person catches no food to cook.
But a hard worker will have great wealth.
28 Doing what is right is the way to life.
But there is another way that leads to death.
Proverbs 12
English Standard Version
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who (A)hates reproof is (B)stupid.
2 A good man (C)obtains favor from the Lord,
but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3 No one is established by wickedness,
but the root of (D)the righteous will never be moved.
4 (E)An excellent wife is (F)the crown of her husband,
but she who (G)brings shame is like (H)rottenness in his bones.
5 (I)The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked (J)lie in wait for blood,
but (K)the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7 (L)The wicked are (M)overthrown and are no more,
(N)but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man is commended according to his good sense,
but one of twisted mind is (O)despised.
9 Better to be lowly and have a servant
than to play the great man and lack bread.
10 (P)Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11 (Q)Whoever works his land (R)will have plenty of bread,
(S)but he who follows (T)worthless pursuits lacks sense.
12 Whoever is wicked covets (U)the spoil of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 An evil man is ensnared (V)by the transgression of his lips,[a]
(W)but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth (X)a man is satisfied with good,
(Y)and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
15 (Z)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
16 (AA)The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent ignores an insult.
17 (AB)Whoever speaks[b] the truth gives honest evidence,
but (AC)a false witness utters deceit.
18 (AD)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings (AE)healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but (AF)a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of (AG)those who devise evil,
but those who plan peace have joy.
21 (AH)No ill befalls the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 (AI)Lying lips are (AJ)an abomination to the Lord,
(AK)but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 (AL)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
(AM)but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 (AN)The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the slothful will be (AO)put to forced labor.
25 (AP)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,[c]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 (AQ)Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
but the diligent man will get precious wealth.[d]
28 (AR)In the path of righteousness is life,
and in its pathway there is no death.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:13 Or In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare
- Proverbs 12:17 Hebrew breathes out
- Proverbs 12:26 Or The righteous chooses his friends carefully
- Proverbs 12:27 Or but diligence is precious wealth
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
