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
Holman Christian Standard Bible
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.(A)
3 Man cannot be made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous is immovable.(D)
4 A capable wife[a] is her husband’s crown,(E)
but a wife who causes shame
is like rottenness in his bones.(F)
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but guidance from the wicked leads to deceit.
8 A man is praised for his insight,
but a twisted mind is despised.
9 Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.(K)
10 A righteous man cares about his animal’s health,(L)
but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,(M)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.(N)
12 The wicked desire what evil men have,[b]
but the root of the righteous produces fruit.
14 A man will be satisfied with good
by the words of his mouth,(Q)
and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.(R)
15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,(S)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.
16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.(T)
17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness, deceit.(U)
18 There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;(V)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(W)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.(X)
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(Y)
21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,(Z)
but the wicked are full of misery.
23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.(AC)
24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.(AD)
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(AE)
26 A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor,[c]
but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.(AF)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:4 Or A wife of quality, or A wife of good character
- Proverbs 12:12 Or desire a stronghold of evil
- Proverbs 12:26 Or man guides his neighbor
- Proverbs 12:28 Or righteousness, and in its path there is no death
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.
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