Proverbs 12
New American Standard Bible
Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked
12 One who loves [a]discipline loves knowledge,
But one who hates rebuke is stupid.
2 A (A)good person will obtain favor from the Lord,
But He will condemn a person [b]who devises evil.
3 A person will (B)not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the (C)righteous will not be moved.
4 An [c](D)excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him is like (E)rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The (F)words of the wicked wait in ambush for blood,
But the (G)mouth of the upright will rescue them.
7 The (H)wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the (I)house of the righteous will stand.
8 A person will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse [d]mind will be despised.
9 Better is one who is lightly esteemed and has a servant,
Than one who honors himself and lacks bread.
10 A (J)righteous person has regard for the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 One (K)who works his land will have plenty of bread,
But one who pursues worthless things lacks [e]sense.
12 The (L)wicked person desires the [f]plunder of evil people,
But the root of the righteous (M)yields fruit.
13 [g]An evil person is ensnared by the offense of his lips,
But the (N)righteous will escape from trouble.
14 A person will be (O)satisfied with good by the fruit of his [h]words,
And the (P)deeds of a person’s hands will return to him.
15 The (Q)way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a person who listens to advice is wise.
16 A (R)fool’s anger is known at once,
But a prudent person conceals dishonor.
17 One who declares truth tells 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 endure 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 joy.
21 (V)No harm happens to the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 (W)Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23 A (X)prudent person conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the [i]lazy hand will be (Y)put to forced labor.
25 (Z)Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
But a (AA)good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous person is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 [j]A lazy person does not [k]roast his prey,
But the (AB)precious possession of a person is diligence.
28 (AC)In the way of righteousness there is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:1 Or instruction
- Proverbs 12:2 Lit of evil devices
- Proverbs 12:4 Or virtuous
- Proverbs 12:8 Lit heart
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit heart
- Proverbs 12:12 Lit net (for trapping prey); another reading is mountain stronghold
- Proverbs 12:13 Lit In the offense of the lips is an evil snare
- Proverbs 12:14 Lit mouth
- Proverbs 12:24 Lit idle
- Proverbs 12:27 Lit An indolent
- Proverbs 12:27 Or catch
Proverbs 12
New Century Version
12 Anyone who loves learning accepts correction,
but a person who hates being corrected is stupid.
2 The Lord is pleased with a good person,
but he will punish anyone who plans evil.
3 Doing evil brings no safety at all,
but a good person has safety and security.
4 A good wife is like a crown for her husband,
but a disgraceful wife is like a disease in his bones.
5 The plans that good people make are fair,
but the advice of the wicked will trick you.
6 The wicked talk about killing people,
but the words of good people will save them.
7 Wicked people die and they are no more,
but a good person’s family continues.
8 The wisdom of the wise wins praise,
but there is no respect for the stupid.
9 A person who is not important but has a servant is better off
than someone who acts important but has no food.
10 Good people take care of their animals,
but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have plenty of food,
but the one who chases empty dreams is not wise.
12 The wicked want what other evil people have stolen,
but good people want to give what they have to others.
13 Evil people are trapped by their evil talk,
but good people stay out of trouble.
14 People will be rewarded for what they say,
and they will also be rewarded for what they do.
15 Fools think they are doing right,
but the wise listen to advice.
16 Fools quickly show that they are upset,
but the wise ignore insults.
17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a dishonest witness tells lies.
18 Careless words stab like a sword,
but wise words bring healing.
19 Truth will continue forever,
but lies are only for a moment.
20 Those who plan evil are full of lies,
but those who plan peace are happy.
21 No harm comes to a good person,
but an evil person’s life is full of trouble.
22 The Lord hates those who tell lies
but is pleased with those who keep their promises.
23 Wise people keep what they know to themselves,
but fools can’t keep from showing how foolish they are.
24 Hard workers will become leaders,
but those who are lazy will be slaves.
25 Worry is a heavy load,
but a kind word cheers you up.
26 Good people take advice from their friends,
but an evil person is easily led to do wrong.
27 The lazy catch no food to cook,
but a hard worker will have great wealth.
28 Doing what is right is the way to life,
but there is another way that leads to death.
Proverbs 12
King James Version
12 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: 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 virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed 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 to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 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 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth 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 be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence 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 hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18 There is that speaketh 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 imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: 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 the slothful shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27 The slothful man roasteth not 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 the pathway thereof there is no death.
Proverbs 12
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.(A)
2 The good obtain favor from the Lord,
but those who devise evil he condemns.(B)
3 No one finds security by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will never be moved.(C)
4 A good wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.(D)
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6 The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,
but the speech of the upright delivers them.(E)
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous will stand.(F)
8 One is commended for good sense,
but a perverse mind is despised.
9 Better to be despised and have produce[a]
than to be self-important and lack food.
10 The righteous know the needs of their animals,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.(G)
11 Those who till their land will have plenty of food,
but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.(H)
12 The wicked covet the proceeds of wickedness,[b]
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,
but the righteous escape from trouble.(I)
14 From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,
and manual labor has its reward.(J)
15 Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to advice.(K)
16 Fools show their anger at once,
but the prudent ignore an insult.(L)
17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness speaks deceitfully.(M)
18 Rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(N)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.(O)
20 Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil,
but those who counsel peace have joy.(P)
21 No harm happens to the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.(Q)
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.(R)
23 One who is clever conceals knowledge,
but the mind of a fool[c] broadcasts folly.(S)
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the lazy will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety weighs down the human heart,
but a good word cheers it up.(T)
26 The righteous are released from misfortune,[d]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy do not roast[e] their game,
but the diligent obtain precious wealth.[f]
28 In the path of righteousness there is life;
in walking its path there is no death.(U)
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.