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Proverbs 12
New International Version
Proverbs 12
New International Version
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.(A)
3 No one can be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.(D)
4 A wife of noble character(E) is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.(F)
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.(G)
8 A person is praised according to their prudence,
and one with a warped(J) mind is despised.
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,(K)
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense.(L)
12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous endures.
14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(O)
and the work of their hands brings them reward.(P)
17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a false witness tells lies.(V)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(Y)
21 No harm overtakes the righteous,(Z)
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.(AF)
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(AG)
but a kind word cheers it up.
26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.(AH)
27 The lazy do not roast[a] any game,
but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life;(AI)
along that path is immortality.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
Proverbs 12
English Standard Version
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
Proverbs 12
GOD’S WORD Translation
Proverbs 12
GOD’S WORD Translation
12 Whoever loves discipline loves to learn,
but whoever hates correction is a dumb animal.
2 A good person obtains favor from the Lord,
but the Lord condemns everyone who schemes.
3 A person cannot stand firm on a foundation of wickedness,
and the roots of righteous people cannot be moved.
4 A wife with strength of character is the crown of her husband,
but the wife who disgraces him is like bone cancer.
5 The thoughts of righteous people are fair.
The advice of wicked people is treacherous.
6 The words of wicked people are a deadly ambush,
but the words [a] of decent people rescue.
7 Overthrow wicked people, and they are no more,
but the families of righteous people continue to stand.
8 A person will be praised based on his insight,
but whoever has a twisted mind will be despised.
9 Better to be unimportant and have a slave
than to act important and have nothing to eat.
10 A righteous person cares ⌞even⌟ about the life of his animals,
but the compassion of wicked people is ⌞nothing but⌟ cruelty.
11 Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat,
but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense.
12 A wicked person delights in setting a trap for ⌞other⌟ evil people,
but the roots of righteous people produce ⌞fruit⌟.
13 An evil person is trapped by his own sinful talk,
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.
14 One person enjoys good things as a result of his speaking ability.
Another is paid according to what his hands have accomplished.
15 A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one,
but a person who listens to advice is wise.
16 When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately,
but a sensible person hides the insult.
17 A truthful witness speaks honestly,
but a lying witness speaks deceitfully.
18 Careless words stab like a sword,
but the words of wise people bring healing.
19 The word of truth lasts forever,
but lies last only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil,
but joy belongs to those who advise peace.
21 No ⌞lasting⌟ harm comes to a righteous person,
but wicked people have lots of trouble.
22 Lips that lie are disgusting to the Lord,
but honest people are his delight.
23 A sensible person ⌞discreetly⌟ hides knowledge,
but foolish minds preach stupidity.
24 Hard-working hands gain control,
but lazy hands do slave labor.
25 A person’s anxiety will weigh him down,
but an encouraging word makes him joyful.
26 A righteous person looks out for his neighbor,
but the path of wicked people leads others astray.
27 A lazy hunter does not catch his prey,
but a hard-working person becomes wealthy.
28 Everlasting life is on the way of righteousness.
Eternal death is not along its path.
Footnotes
- 12:6 Or “mouths.”
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
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