Proverbs 12
Modern English Version
12 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is brutish.
2 A good man obtains favor of the Lord,
but a man of wicked devices will He condemn.
3 A man will not be established by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will not be moved.
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband,
but she who brings shame is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right,
but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”
but the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not,
but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
but he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
9 He who is lightly esteemed and has a servant is better
than he who honors himself and lacks bread.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
but he who follows vain persons is void of understanding.
12 The wicked covet the plunder of evil men,
but the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips,
but the just will come out of trouble.
14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
and the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but he who listens to counsel is wise.
16 A fool’s wrath is presently known,
but a prudent man covers shame.
17 He who speaks truth shows forth righteousness,
but a false witness deceit.
18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The truthful lip will be established forever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who imagine evil,
but to the counselors of peace is joy.
21 There will no evil happen to the just,
but the wicked will be filled with mischief.
22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord,
but those who deal truly are His delight.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,
but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
but the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man makes it droop,
but a good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbors,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The slothful man does not roast that which he took in hunting,
but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28 In the way of righteousness is life,
and in its pathway there is no death.
Proverbs 12
American Standard Version
12 Whoso loveth [a]correction loveth knowledge;
But he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 A good man shall obtain favor of Jehovah;
But a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness;
But the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband;
But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just;
But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked [b]are of lying in wait for blood;
But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 [c]The wicked are overthrown, and are not;
But the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom;
But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9 Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant,
Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.
10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast;
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread;
But he that followeth after [d]vain persons is void of understanding.
12 The wicked desireth [e]the net of evil men;
But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13 In the transgression of the lips is [f]a snare to the evil man;
But the righteous shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth;
And the doings of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes;
But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16 A fool’s vexation is [g]presently known;
But a prudent man concealeth shame.
17 He that [h]uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness;
But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword;
But the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever;
But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil;
But to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21 There shall no mischief happen to the righteous;
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah;
But they that deal truly are his delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge;
But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule;
But [i]the slothful shall be put under taskwork.
25 [j]Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop;
But a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor;
But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
27 [k]The slothful man [l]roasteth not that which he took in hunting;
But the precious substance of men [m]is to the diligent.
28 In the way of righteousness is life;
And in the pathway thereof there is no death.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:1 Or, instruction
- Proverbs 12:6 Or, are a lying in wait
- Proverbs 12:7 Or, Overthrow the wicked, and they are not
- Proverbs 12:11 Or, vain things
- Proverbs 12:12 Or, the prey
- Proverbs 12:13 Or, an evil snare
- Proverbs 12:16 Or, openly. Hebrew in the day.
- Proverbs 12:17 Hebrew breatheth out.
- Proverbs 12:24 Hebrew slothfulness.
- Proverbs 12:25 Or, Care
- Proverbs 12:27 Hebrew slothfulness.
- Proverbs 12:27 Or, catcheth not his prey
- Proverbs 12:27 Or, is to be diligent
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
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