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
Revised Standard Version
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3 A man is not established by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
4 A good wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are treacherous.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the mouth of the upright delivers men.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man is commended according to his good sense,
but one of perverse mind is despised.
9 Better is a man of humble standing who works for himself
than one who plays the great man but lacks bread.
10 A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits has no sense.
12 The strong tower of the wicked comes to ruin,
but the root of the righteous stands firm.[a]
13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his words a man is satisfied with good,
and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
16 The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent man ignores an insult.
17 He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness utters deceit.
18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure for ever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
but those who plan good have joy.
21 No ill befalls the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 A prudent man conceals his knowledge,
but fools[b] proclaim their folly.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.
26 A righteous man turns away from evil,[c]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 A slothful man will not catch his prey,[d]
but the diligent man will get precious wealth.[e]
28 In the path of righteousness is life,
but the way of error leads to death.[f]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:12 Cn: The Hebrew of verse 12 is obscure
- Proverbs 12:23 Heb the heart of fools
- Proverbs 12:26 Cn: The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
- Proverbs 12:27 Cn Compare Gk Syr: The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
- Proverbs 12:27 Cn: The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
- Proverbs 12:28 Cn: The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
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Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.