Proverbs 12
International Children’s Bible
12 Anyone who loves learning accepts being corrected.
But a person who hates being corrected is stupid.
2 The Lord is pleased with a good person.
But he will punish anyone who plans evil.
3 Doing evil brings a person no safety at all.
But a good person has safety and security.
4 A good wife is like a crown for her husband.
But a disgraceful wife is like a disease in his bones.
5 The plans that good people make are fair.
But the advice of the wicked will trick you.
6 The wicked talk of killing people.
But the words of good people will save them.
7 Wicked people die and leave nothing behind.
But a good man’s family goes on.
8 A wise person is praised.
But a stupid person is not respected.
9 A person might not be important but still have a servant.
He is better off than someone who acts important but has no food.
10 A good man takes care of his animals.
But even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 The person who works his land will have plenty of food.
But the one who chases useless dreams isn’t wise.
12 Evil people want what other evil people have stolen.
But good people want to give to others.
13 Evil people are trapped by their evil talk.
But good people stay out of trouble.
14 A person will be rewarded for what he says.
And he will also be rewarded for what he does.
15 A foolish person thinks he is doing right.
But a wise person listens to advice.
16 A foolish person quickly shows that he is upset.
But a wise person ignores an insult.
17 An honest witness tells the truth.
But a dishonest witness tells lies.
18 Careless words stab like a sword.
But wise words bring healing.
19 Truth will last forever.
But lies last only a moment.
20 Those who plan evil mean to lie.
But those who plan peace will be happy.
21 No harm comes to a good person.
But an evil person’s life is full of trouble.
22 The Lord hates those who tell lies.
But he is pleased with those who do what they promise.
23 A wise person keeps what he knows to himself.
But a foolish person shows how foolish he is.
24 Hard workers will become leaders.
But those who are lazy will be slaves.
25 Worry makes a person feel as if he is carrying a heavy load.
But a kind word cheers up a person.
26 A good person takes advice from his friends.
But an evil person is easily led to do wrong.
27 A lazy person catches no food to cook.
But a hard worker will have great wealth.
28 Doing what is right is the way to life.
But there is another way that leads to death.
Proverbs 12
Evangelical Heritage Version
More Examples of Righteous Behavior
12 A person who loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good person will obtain favor from the Lord,
but he will condemn a schemer.
3 A person cannot be made secure by wickedness,
but the roots of the righteous will never be uprooted.
4 A wife with strong character is a crown to her husband,
but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones.
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 mouths of the upright will save them.
7 Wicked people are overthrown, and they are no more,
but the house of the righteous continues to stand.
8 A person is praised for the good sense that he speaks,
but a person with a twisted heart will be despised.
9 Better to be underestimated and have a servant
than to pretend to be wealthy and lack bread.
10 A righteous person understands the needs of his livestock,
but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 A person who works his land will have enough food,
but whoever pursues fantasies lacks sense.
12 A wicked man covets the fortress[a] of evil people,
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 The rebellion on his lips is a trap for an evil person,
but a righteous person gets out of trouble.
14 From the fruit of his lips a person is filled with good,
and the labor of a person’s hands returns to him.
15 The way of a stubborn fool seems correct to him,
but whoever listens to advice is wise.
16 A stubborn fool immediately lets his annoyance be known,
but a sensible person overlooks an insult.
17 Whoever breathes the truth proclaims righteousness,
but a lying witness is deceitful.
18 Some people wield reckless words like the thrusts of a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips are established forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit lies in the heart of those who plot evil,
but for those who promote peace there will be joy.
21 No disaster will strike a righteous person,
but wicked people are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are disgusting to the Lord,
but those who act truthfully gain his favor.
23 A man who is shrewd conceals his knowledge,
but the hearts of fools broadcast stupidity.
24 Hardworking hands will rule,
but laziness results in forced labor.[b]
25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down,
but a good word brings him joy.
26 A righteous person guides his neighbor,[c]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 A lazy person does not roast his game,
but a diligent person uses his wealth wisely.
28 In the path of righteousness there is life,
and there is no death in following this path.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:12 Or net. The verse is difficult and the meaning is uncertain.
- Proverbs 12:24 Or leads to debtor’s prison
- Proverbs 12:26 Or is cautious in friendship or works to learn about his friend
- Proverbs 12:28 The translation follows the main Hebrew reading. A variant in some Hebrew manuscripts and the ancient versions reads and another path leads to death.
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.