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Proverbs 12:9-11
The Voice
Proverbs 12:9-11
The Voice
9 It is better to be overlooked and have a servant
than to be pretentious and have nothing to eat.
10 Those who are righteous treat their animals humanely,
but the compassion of the wicked is really inhumane.
A person in a positive relationship with God stands in a right relationship with His creation. How we treat animals may mirror our souls—not just the pets in our home, but the pets in our neighborhood and the animals in our food supply. One who is truly right with God considers the needs of His creatures.
11 Whoever works the land will have more than enough food,
but whoever follows empty pursuits lacks sense.
Proverbs 12:9-11
King James Version
Proverbs 12:9-11
King James Version
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.
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Proverbs 12:9-11
New King James Version
Proverbs 12:9-11
New King James Version
9 (A)Better is the one who is [a]slighted but has a servant,
Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
10 (B)A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 (C)He who [b]tills his land will be satisfied with (D)bread,
But he who follows [c]frivolity (E)is devoid of [d]understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:9 lightly esteemed
- Proverbs 12:11 works or cultivates
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit. vain things
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit. heart
Proverbs 12:9-11
New International Version
Proverbs 12:9-11
New International Version
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,(A)
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense.(B)
Proverbs 12:9-11
English Standard Version
Proverbs 12:9-11
English Standard Version
9 Better to be lowly and have a servant
than to play the great man and lack bread.
10 (A)Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11 (B)Whoever works his land (C)will have plenty of bread,
(D)but he who follows (E)worthless pursuits lacks sense.
The Voice (VOICE)
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.