Font Size
Proverbs 12-14
English Standard Version
Proverbs 12-14
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.
13 A wise son hears his father's instruction,
but (AS)a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his mouth a man (AT)eats what is good,
but the desire of the treacherous (AU)is for violence.
3 (AV)Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
(AW)he who opens wide his lips (AX)comes to ruin.
4 (AY)The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent (AZ)is richly supplied.
5 The righteous hates falsehood,
but the wicked brings shame[e] and disgrace.
6 (BA)Righteousness guards him whose (BB)way is blameless,
but sin overthrows the wicked.
7 (BC)One pretends to be rich,[f] yet has nothing;
(BD)another pretends to be poor,[g] yet has great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,
but a poor man (BE)hears no threat.
9 (BF)The light of the righteous rejoices,
but (BG)the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 (BH)By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom.
11 (BI)Wealth gained hastily[h] will dwindle,
but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
(BJ)but a desire fulfilled is (BK)a tree of life.
13 Whoever (BL)despises (BM)the word[i] brings destruction on himself,
but he who reveres the commandment[j] will be (BN)rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is (BO)a fountain of life,
that one may (BP)turn away from the snares of death.
15 (BQ)Good sense wins (BR)favor,
but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.[k]
16 (BS)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
(BT)but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but (BU)a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who (BV)ignores instruction,
(BW)but whoever (BX)heeds reproof is honored.
19 (BY)A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 (BZ)Disaster[l] pursues sinners,
(CA)but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22 (CB)A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
but (CC)the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
but it is swept away through (CD)injustice.
24 (CE)Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.[m]
25 (CF)The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
14 (CG)The wisest of women (CH)builds her house,
but folly with her own hands (CI)tears it down.
2 Whoever (CJ)walks in uprightness fears the Lord,
but he who is (CK)devious in his ways despises him.
3 By the mouth of a fool comes (CL)a rod for his back,[n]
(CM)but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
5 (CN)A faithful witness does not lie,
but (CO)a false witness breathes out lies.
6 (CP)A scoffer seeks wisdom (CQ)in vain,
but (CR)knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
7 Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
but the folly of fools is deceiving.
9 (CS)Fools mock at the guilt offering,
but the upright enjoy acceptance.[o]
10 The heart knows its own (CT)bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy.
11 (CU)The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 (CV)There is a way that seems right to a man,
but (CW)its end is the way to death.[p]
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and (CX)the end of joy may be (CY)grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be (CZ)filled with the fruit of his ways,
and (DA)a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
15 (DB)The simple believes everything,
but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
16 (DC)One who is wise is cautious[q] and (DD)turns away from evil,
but a fool is reckless and careless.
17 A man of (DE)quick temper acts foolishly,
and a man of evil devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 (DF)The evil bow down before the good,
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 (DG)The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
(DH)but the rich has many friends.
21 Whoever (DI)despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but (DJ)blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
22 Do they not go astray who (DK)devise evil?
Those who devise good meet[r] (DL)steadfast love and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk (DM)tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the folly of fools brings folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who (DN)breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has (DO)strong confidence,
and (DP)his children will have (DQ)a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is (DR)a fountain of life,
that one may (DS)turn away from the snares of death.
28 In (DT)a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
but without people a prince is ruined.
29 Whoever is (DU)slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30 A tranquil[s] heart gives (DV)life to the flesh,
but (DW)envy[t] makes (DX)the bones rot.
31 Whoever oppresses a poor man (DY)insults his (DZ)Maker,
(EA)but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
32 (EB)The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
but (EC)the righteous finds refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom (ED)rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.[u]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 A servant who deals wisely has (EE)the king's favor,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
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 13:5 Or stench
- Proverbs 13:7 Or One makes himself rich
- Proverbs 13:7 Or another makes himself poor
- Proverbs 13:11 Or by fraud
- Proverbs 13:13 Or a word
- Proverbs 13:13 Or a commandment
- Proverbs 13:15 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew is rugged, or is an enduring rut
- Proverbs 13:21 Or Evil
- Proverbs 13:24 Or who loves him disciplines him early
- Proverbs 14:3 Or In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride
- Proverbs 14:9 Hebrew but among the upright is acceptance
- Proverbs 14:12 Hebrew ways of death
- Proverbs 14:16 Or fears [the Lord]
- Proverbs 14:22 Or show
- Proverbs 14:30 Or healing
- Proverbs 14:30 Or jealousy
- Proverbs 14:33 Or Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of a man of understanding, but makes itself known in the midst of fools
Proverbs 12-14
New International Version
Proverbs 12-14
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.
13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(AJ)
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(AK)
but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips(AL) preserve their lives,(AM)
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(AN)
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(AO)
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false,(AP)
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(AQ)
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(AR)
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(AS)
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(AT)
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(AU)
10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(AV)
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(AW)
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(AX)
13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(AY)
but whoever respects(AZ) a command is rewarded.(BA)
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(BB)
turning a person from the snares of death.(BC)
15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[b]
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(BH)
but whoever heeds correction is honored.(BI)
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(BJ)
but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.(BK)
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(BO)
23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Whoever spares the rod(BP) hates their children,
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(BQ) them.(BR)
25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(BS)
14 The wise woman builds her house,(BT)
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox(BW) come abundant harvests.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.(BX)
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(BY)
7 Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(BZ)
but the folly of fools is deception.(CA)
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
13 Even in laughter(CF) the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.(CI)
17 A quick-tempered person(CL) does foolish things,(CM)
and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(CN)
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(CO)
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.(CP)
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(CS)
But those who plan what is good find[d] love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly.(CT)
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.(CU)
26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(CV)
and for their children it will be a refuge.(CW)
28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined.(CZ)
29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(DA)
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(DB)
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.(DC)
31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(DD)
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(DE)
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(DF)
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(DG)
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(DH)
and even among fools she lets herself be known.[e]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(DI)
but sin condemns any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(DJ)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
- Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
- Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through
- Proverbs 14:22 Or show
- Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.