Proverbs 12
World English Bible
12 Whoever loves correction loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh,
but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.
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 a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are no more,
but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom,
but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
9 Better is he who is little known, and has a servant,
than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
10 A righteous man respects the life of his animal,
but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread,
but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
12 The wicked desires the plunder of evil men,
but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13 An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips,
but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth.
The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but he who is wise listens to counsel.
16 A fool shows his annoyance the same day,
but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
17 He who is truthful testifies honestly,
but a false witness lies.
18 There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword,
but the tongue of the wise heals.
19 Truth’s lips will be established forever,
but a lying tongue is only momentary.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil,
but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
21 No mischief shall happen to the righteous,
but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh,
but those who do the truth are his delight.
23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge,
but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
24 The hands of the diligent ones shall rule,
but laziness ends in slave labor.
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
but a kind word makes it glad.
26 A righteous person is cautious in friendship,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The slothful man doesn’t roast his game,
but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
28 In the way of righteousness is life;
in its path there is no death.
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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