Proverbs 12
1599 Geneva Bible
12 1 He that loveth instruction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth correction, is a fool.
2 A good man getteth favor of the Lord: but the man of wicked imaginations will he condemn.
3 A man cannot be established by wickedness: but the [a]root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A [b]virtuous woman is the crown of her husband: but she that maketh him ashamed, is as corruption in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the just are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The talking of the wicked is to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the righteous will [c]deliver them.
7 God overthroweth the wicked, and they are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended for his wisdom: but the froward of heart shall be despised.
9 He that is despised, [d]and is his own servant, is better than he that boasteth himself, and lacketh bread.
10 A righteous man [e]regardeth the life of his beast: but the mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 (A)He that tilleth his land, shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth the idle, is destitute of [f]understanding.
12 The wicked desireth the [g]net of evils: but the [h]root of the righteous giveth fruit.
13 The evil man is snared by the wickedness of his lips, but the just shall come out of adversity.
14 A man shall be satiate with good things by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man’s hands shall God give unto him.
15 The way of a fool is [i]right in his own eyes: but he that heareth in counsel, is wise.
16 A fool in a day shall be known by his anger: but he [j]that covereth shame, is wise.
17 He that speaketh truth, will show righteousness: but a false witness useth deceit.
18 (B)There is that speaketh words like the prickings of [k]a sword: but the tongue of wise men is health.
19 The lip of truth shall be stable forever: but a lying tongue varieth incontinently.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace shall be joy.
21 There shall none iniquity come to the just: but the wicked are full of evil.
22 The lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.
23 A wise man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of the fools publisheth foolishness.
24 (C)The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the idle shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man doth bring it down: but a [l]good word rejoice it.
26 The righteous [m]is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked will deceive them.
27 The deceitful man roasteth not that he [n]took in hunting: but the riches of the diligent man are precious.
28 Life is in the way of righteousness, and in that pathway there is no death.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:3 They are so grounded in the favor of God, that their root shall prosper continually.
- Proverbs 12:4 Hebrew, strong, or painful.
- Proverbs 12:6 As their conscience is upright, so shall they be able to speak for themselves against their accusers.
- Proverbs 12:9 The poor man that is contemned and yet liveth of his own travail.
- Proverbs 12:10 Is merciful, even to the very beast that doeth him service.
- Proverbs 12:11 Or, defense.
- Proverbs 12:12 Continually imagineth means how to do harm to others.
- Proverbs 12:12 Meaning, their heart within, which is upright, and doeth good to all.
- Proverbs 12:15 He standeth in his own conceit, and condemneth all others in respect of himself.
- Proverbs 12:16 Which bridleth his affections.
- Proverbs 12:18 Which seek nothing more than to provoke others to anger.
- Proverbs 12:25 That is, words of comfort, or, a cheerful mind which is declared by his words, rejoiceth a man, as a covetous mind killeth him.
- Proverbs 12:26 That is, more liberal in giving.
- Proverbs 12:27 Although he get much by unlawful means, yet will he not spend it upon himself.
Proverbs 12
New International Version
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.(A)
3 No one can be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.(D)
4 A wife of noble character(E) is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.(F)
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.(G)
8 A person is praised according to their prudence,
and one with a warped(J) mind is despised.
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,(K)
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.(L)
12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous endures.
14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(O)
and the work of their hands brings them reward.(P)
17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a false witness tells lies.(V)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(Y)
21 No harm overtakes the righteous,(Z)
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.(AF)
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(AG)
but a kind word cheers it up.
26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.(AH)
27 The lazy do not roast[a] any game,
but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life;(AI)
along that path is immortality.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
Proverbs 12
Christian Standard Bible Anglicised
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 for ever,
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 publicises stupidity.(AC)
24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labour.(AD)
25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(AE)
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
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


