Proverbs 12
New Life Version
12 Whoever loves strong teaching loves much learning, but he who hates strong words is foolish.
2 A good man will get favor from the Lord, but He will punish a man who makes sinful plans.
3 A man will not stand by doing what is wrong, but the root of those who are right with God will not be moved.
4 A good wife is the pride and joy of her husband, but she who brings shame is like cancer to his bones.
5 The thoughts of those who are right with God can be trusted, but the words of the sinful are false.
6 The words of the sinful lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the faithful will take them away from trouble.
7 The sinful are destroyed and are no more, but the house of those who are right with God will stand.
8 A man will be praised for his wisdom, but a man with a sinful mind will be hated.
9 A man who has only a little honor and has a servant is better than one who honors himself and does not have bread.
10 A man who is right with God cares for his animal, but the sinful man is hard and has no pity.
11 He who works his land will have all the bread he needs, but he who follows what is of no worth has no wisdom.
12 The sinful man wants what sinful men have, but the root of those who are right with God gives fruit.
13 A sinful man is trapped by the sin of his lips, but those who are right with God will get away from trouble.
14 A man will be filled with good from the fruit of his words, and the work of a man’s hands will return to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to good teaching.
16 The anger of a fool is known at once, but a wise man does not speak when he is spoken against.
17 He who speaks the truth tells what is right, but a liar tells lies.
18 There is one whose foolish words cut like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Lips that tell the truth will last forever, but a lying tongue lasts only for a little while.
20 Lying is in the heart of those who plan what is bad, but those who plan peace have joy.
21 No trouble comes upon those who are right with God, but the sinful are filled with trouble.
22 The Lord hates lying lips, but those who speak the truth are His joy.
23 A wise man hides how much learning he has, but the heart of fools makes known their foolish way.
24 The hand of those who do their best will rule, but the lazy hand will be made to work.
25 Worry in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.
26 The man who is right with God is a teacher to his neighbor, but the way of the sinful leads them the wrong way.
27 The lazy man will not cook the food he has caught, but the man who does his best has what is of great worth.
28 Life is in the way of those who are right with God, and in its path there is no death.
Proverbs 12
New King James Version
The House of the Righteous Shall Stand
12 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.
3 A man is not established by wickedness,
But the (A)root of the righteous cannot be moved.
4 (B)An[a] excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is (C)like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 (D)The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”
(E)But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7 (F)The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
(G)But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
9 (H)Better is the one who is [b]slighted but has a servant,
Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
10 (I)A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 (J)He who [c]tills his land will be satisfied with (K)bread,
But he who follows [d]frivolity (L)is devoid of [e]understanding.
12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 (M)The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
(N)But the righteous will come through trouble.
14 (O)A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
(P)And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.
15 (Q)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise.
16 (R)A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame.
17 (S)He who speaks truth declares righteousness,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 (T)There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
19 The truthful lip shall be established forever,
(U)But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
21 (V)No grave [f]trouble will overtake the righteous,
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 (W)Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
23 (X)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 (Y)The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession.
28 In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:4 Lit. A wife of valor
- Proverbs 12:9 lightly esteemed
- Proverbs 12:11 works or cultivates
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit. vain things
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 12:21 harm
Copyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
