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
International Standard Version
Wisdom and Wickedness Contrasted
12 The person who loves correction loves knowledge,
but anyone who hates a rebuke is stupid.
2 The good person will gain favor from the Lord,
but the man who plots evil will be condemned by him.
3 A person doesn’t gain security by wickedness,
but the righteous won’t be uprooted.
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband,
but a wife[a] who puts him to shame is like bone cancer.[b]
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lead to[c] bloodshed,
but the speech of the upright delivers them.
7 After they’re overthrown, the wicked won’t be found,
but the house of the righteous stands firm.
8 A man is praised because of his wise words,
but the perverted mind[d] will be despised.
9 It’s better to be unimportant, yet have a servant,
than to pretend to be important, but lack food.
10 The righteous person looks out for the welfare of his livestock,
but even[e] the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 Whoever tills his soil will have a lot to eat,
but anyone who pursues fantasies lacks sense.[f]
12 The wicked desires what evil people gain,
but the foundation[g] of the righteous is productive.
13 An evil man’s sinful speech ensnares him,
but the righteous person escapes from trouble.
14 By his fruitful speech a man can remain satisfied,
and a man’s handiwork will reward him.
15 The lifestyle of the fool is right in his own opinion,
but wise is the man who listens to advice.
16 The anger of a fool becomes readily apparent,
but the prudent person overlooks an insult.
17 The truth teller speaks what is right,
but the false witness speaks what is[h] deceitful.
18 Some speak rashly like the cutting of a sword,
but what the wise say promotes healing.
19 A truthful saying[i] is trusted forever,
but the liar[j] only for a moment.
20 Deceit is at home[k] in the heart of those who plan evil,
but those who promote peace rejoice.
21 No harm overwhelms the righteous,
but the wicked overflow with trouble.
22 Deceitful speech is reprehensible to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 A prudent man keeps what he knows to himself,[l]
but the hearts of fools shout forth their foolishness.
24 The diligent will take control,
but the lazy will be put to forced labor.
25 A person’s anxiety weighs down his heart,
but an appropriate word is encouraging.
26 The righteous person is cautious with respect to his neighbor,
but the lifestyle of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy person does not roast what he has hunted,
but diligence is one’s most important possession.
28 In the pathway to righteousness there is life,
and in that lifestyle there is no death.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:4 Lit. but she
- Proverbs 12:4 Lit. decay
- Proverbs 12:6 Lit. wicked lie in wait for
- Proverbs 12:8 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 12:10 The Heb. lacks even
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 12:12 Or root
- Proverbs 12:17 The Heb. lacks speaks what is
- Proverbs 12:19 Lit. lips
- Proverbs 12:19 Lit. the lying tongue
- Proverbs 12:20 The Heb. lacks at home
- Proverbs 12:23 The Heb. lacks to himself
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