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)
Proverbs 12
Common English Bible
12 Those who love discipline love knowledge,
and those who hate correction are stupid.
2 The Lord favors good people,
but he condemns schemers.
3 No one is established by wicked acts,
but the roots of the righteous can’t be disturbed.
4 A strong woman is a crown to her husband,
but a disgraceful woman is like rot in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the guidance of the wicked is deceptive.
6 The words of the wicked are a deathtrap,
but the speech of those who do right rescues them.
7 The wicked are destroyed and are no more,
but the family of the righteous will endure.
8 A person is praised for his insight,
but a warped mind leads to contempt.
9 Better to be held in low regard and have a servant
than to be conceited and lack food.
10 The righteous care about their livestock’s needs,
but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have plenty to eat,
but those who engage in empty pursuits have no sense.
12 Desiring evil is a trap for the wicked,
but the root of the righteous endures.[a]
13 The wicked are trapped by the transgressions of their lips,
but the righteous escape from distress.
14 From the fruit of their speech, people are well satisfied;
their work results in reward.
15 Fools see their own way as right,
but the wise listen to advice.
16 Fools reveal their anger right away,
but the shrewd hide their contempt.
17 Those who state the truth speak justly,
but a false witness deceives.
18 Some chatter on like a stabbing sword,
but a wise tongue heals.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil,
but there is joy for those who advise peace.
21 No harm happens to the righteous,
but the wicked receive their fill of trouble.
22 The Lord detests false lips;
he favors those who do what is true.
23 The shrewd conceal their knowledge,
but the heart of fools proclaims their stupidity.
24 A hard worker is in charge,
while a lazy one will be sentenced to hard labor.
25 Anxiety leads to depression,
but a good word encourages.
26 The righteous offer guidance to their neighbors,[b]
but the path of the wicked makes them wander.
27 The lazy don’t roast[c] their prey,
but hard workers receive precious riches.
28 The way of the righteous leads to life,
but the detestable[d] path leads to death.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:12 Or gives
- Proverbs 12:26 Heb uncertain
- Proverbs 12:27 Heb uncertain
- Proverbs 12:28 LXX; MT the path of the trail
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.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible