Proverbs 12
Christian Standard Bible
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.(A)
3 No one can be made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous is immovable.(D)
4 A wife of noble character[a] is her husband’s crown,(E)
but a wife who causes shame
is like rottenness in his bones.(F)
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but guidance from the wicked is deceitful.
8 A man is praised for his insight,
but a twisted mind is despised.
9 Better to be disregarded, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.(K)
10 The righteous cares about his animal’s health,(L)
but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,(M)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.(N)
12 The wicked desire what evil people have caught,[b]
but the root of the righteous is productive.
13 By rebellious speech an evil person is trapped,(O)
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.(P)
14 A person will be satisfied with good
by the fruit of his mouth,(Q)
and the work of a person’s hands will reward him.(R)
15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,(S)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.
16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.(T)
17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness speaks deceit.(U)
18 There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;(V)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(W)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.(X)
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(Y)
21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,(Z)
but the wicked are full of misery.
23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.(AC)
24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.(AD)
25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(AE)
Proverbs 12
Contemporary English Version
You Can't Hide behind Evil
12 (A) To accept correction is wise,
to reject it is stupid.
2 The Lord likes everyone
who lives right,
but he punishes everyone
who makes evil plans.
3 Sin cannot offer security!
But if you live right,
you will be as secure
as a tree with deep roots.
4 A helpful wife is a jewel
for her husband,
but a shameless wife
will make his bones rot.
5 Good people have kind thoughts,
but you should never trust
the advice of someone evil.
6 Bad advice is a deadly trap,
but good advice
is like a shield.
7 Once the wicked are defeated,
they are gone forever,
but no one who obeys God
will ever be thrown down.
8 Good sense is worthy of praise,
but stupidity is a curse.
9 It's better to be ordinary
and have only one servant[a]
than to think you are somebody
and starve to death.
10 Good people are kind
to their animals,
but a mean person is cruel.
11 Hard working farmers have more
than enough food;
daydreamers are nothing more
than stupid fools.
12 An evil person tries to hide
behind evil;[b]
good people are like trees
with deep roots.
13 We trap ourselves
by telling lies,
but we stay out of trouble
by living right.
14 We are rewarded or punished
for what we say and do.
15 Fools think they know
what is best,
but a sensible person
listens to advice.
16 Losing your temper is foolish;
ignoring an insult is smart.
17 An honest person
tells the truth in court,
but a dishonest person
tells nothing but lies.
18 Sharp words cut like a sword,
but words of wisdom heal.
19 Truth will last forever;
lies are soon found out.
20 An evil mind is deceitful,
but gentle thoughts
bring happiness.
21 Good people never have trouble,
but troublemakers
have more than enough.
22 The Lord hates every liar,
but he is the friend of all
who can be trusted.
23 Be sensible and don't tell
everything you know—
only fools spread
foolishness everywhere.
24 Work hard, and you
will be a leader;
be lazy, and you
will end up a slave.
25 Worry is a heavy burden,
but a kind word
always brings cheer.
26 You are better off to do right,
than to lose your way
by doing wrong.[c]
27 Anyone too lazy to cook
will starve,
but a hard worker
is a valuable treasure.[d]
28 Living right is a pathway
that leads to life
and away from death.
Footnotes
Proverbs 12
King James Version
12 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
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.
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28 In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof 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
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
