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.
Proverbs 12
Christian Standard Bible
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.(A)
3 No one can be made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous is immovable.(D)
4 A wife of noble character[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 is deceitful.
8 A man is praised for his insight,
but a twisted mind is despised.
9 Better to be disregarded, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.(K)
10 The righteous 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 people have caught,[b]
but the root of the righteous is productive.
13 By rebellious speech an evil person is trapped,(O)
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.(P)
14 A person will be satisfied with good
by the fruit of his mouth,(Q)
and the work of a person’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 speaks 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 person’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(AE)
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.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.