Proverbs 12
Legacy Standard Bible
12 Whoever loves [a]discipline loves knowledge,
But he who hates reproof is senseless.
2 A (A)good man will obtain favor from Yahweh,
But a man of evil schemes He will condemn.
3 A man will (B)not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the (C)righteous will not be shaken.
4 [b]An (D)excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like (E)rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
But the guidance of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The (F)words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
But the (G)mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7 The (H)wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the (I)house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse heart will be despised.
9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant
Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.
10 A (J)righteous man knows the value of the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 He (K)who cultivates his land will be satisfied with bread,
But he who pursues empty things lacks a heart of wisdom.
12 The (L)wicked man desires a stronghold of evil men,
But the root of the righteous (M)gives fruit.
13 The snare of an evil man is in the transgression of his lips,
But the (N)righteous man will come out from distress.
14 A man will be (O)satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
And the good (P)deed of a man’s hands will return to him.
15 The (Q)way of an ignorant fool is right in his own eyes,
But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
16 An (R)ignorant fool’s [c]anger is known at once,
But a prudent man conceals disgrace.
17 He who breathes out truth declares what is right,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who (S)speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the (T)tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips will be established forever,
But a (U)lying tongue is only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have gladness.
21 (V)No misfortune befalls the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with calamity.
22 (W)Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh,
But doers of faithfulness are His delight.
23 A (X)prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But [d]the slack hand will be (Y)put to forced labor.
25 (Z)Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
But a (AA)good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked makes them wander about.
27 A slack handed man does not [e]roast his prey,
But the wealth of a man is (AB)precious for the diligent.
28 (AC)In the path of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:1 Or instruction
- Proverbs 12:4 Or A virtuous
- Proverbs 12:16 Or vexation
- Proverbs 12:24 Lit slackness
- Proverbs 12:27 Or catch
Proverbs 12
New Living Translation
12 To learn, you must love discipline;
it is stupid to hate correction.
2 The Lord approves of those who are good,
but he condemns those who plan wickedness.
3 Wickedness never brings stability,
but the godly have deep roots.
4 A worthy wife is a crown for her husband,
but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.
5 The plans of the godly are just;
the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6 The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,
but the words of the godly save lives.
7 The wicked die and disappear,
but the family of the godly stands firm.
8 A sensible person wins admiration,
but a warped mind is despised.
9 Better to be an ordinary person with a servant
than to be self-important but have no food.
10 The godly care for their animals,
but the wicked are always cruel.
11 A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.
12 Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,
but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.
13 The wicked are trapped by their own words,
but the godly escape such trouble.
14 Wise words bring many benefits,
and hard work brings rewards.
15 Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to others.
16 A fool is quick-tempered,
but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
17 An honest witness tells the truth;
a false witness tells lies.
18 Some people make cutting remarks,
but the words of the wise bring healing.
19 Truthful words stand the test of time,
but lies are soon exposed.
20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
21 No harm comes to the godly,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in those who tell the truth.
23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
but fools broadcast their foolishness.
24 Work hard and become a leader;
be lazy and become a slave.
25 Worry weighs a person down;
an encouraging word cheers a person up.
26 The godly give good advice to their friends;[a]
the wicked lead them astray.
27 Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch,
but the diligent make use of everything they find.
28 The way of the godly leads to life;
that path does not lead to death.
Footnotes
- 12:26 Or The godly are cautious in friendship; or The godly are freed from evil. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
