Proverbs 12
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.(A)
2 The good obtain favor from the Lord,
but those who devise evil he condemns.(B)
3 No one finds security by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will never be moved.(C)
4 A good wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.(D)
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6 The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,
but the speech of the upright delivers them.(E)
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous will stand.(F)
8 One is commended for good sense,
but a perverse mind is despised.
9 Better to be despised and have produce[a]
than to be self-important and lack food.
10 The righteous know the needs of their animals,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.(G)
11 Those who till their land will have plenty of food,
but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.(H)
12 The wicked covet the proceeds of wickedness,[b]
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,
but the righteous escape from trouble.(I)
14 From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,
and manual labor has its reward.(J)
15 Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to advice.(K)
16 Fools show their anger at once,
but the prudent ignore an insult.(L)
17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness speaks deceitfully.(M)
18 Rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(N)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.(O)
20 Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil,
but those who counsel peace have joy.(P)
21 No harm happens to the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.(Q)
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.(R)
23 One who is clever conceals knowledge,
but the mind of a fool[c] broadcasts folly.(S)
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the lazy will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety weighs down the human heart,
but a good word cheers it up.(T)
26 The righteous are released from misfortune,[d]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy do not roast[e] their game,
but the diligent obtain precious wealth.[f]
28 In the path of righteousness there is life;
in walking its path there is no death.(U)
Proverbs 12
GOD’S WORD Translation
12 Whoever loves discipline loves to learn,
but whoever hates correction is a dumb animal.
2 A good person obtains favor from the Lord,
but the Lord condemns everyone who schemes.
3 A person cannot stand firm on a foundation of wickedness,
and the roots of righteous people cannot be moved.
4 A wife with strength of character is the crown of her husband,
but the wife who disgraces him is like bone cancer.
5 The thoughts of righteous people are fair.
The advice of wicked people is treacherous.
6 The words of wicked people are a deadly ambush,
but the words [a] of decent people rescue.
7 Overthrow wicked people, and they are no more,
but the families of righteous people continue to stand.
8 A person will be praised based on his insight,
but whoever has a twisted mind will be despised.
9 Better to be unimportant and have a slave
than to act important and have nothing to eat.
10 A righteous person cares ⌞even⌟ about the life of his animals,
but the compassion of wicked people is ⌞nothing but⌟ cruelty.
11 Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat,
but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense.
12 A wicked person delights in setting a trap for ⌞other⌟ evil people,
but the roots of righteous people produce ⌞fruit⌟.
13 An evil person is trapped by his own sinful talk,
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.
14 One person enjoys good things as a result of his speaking ability.
Another is paid according to what his hands have accomplished.
15 A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one,
but a person who listens to advice is wise.
16 When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately,
but a sensible person hides the insult.
17 A truthful witness speaks honestly,
but a lying witness speaks deceitfully.
18 Careless words stab like a sword,
but the words of wise people bring healing.
19 The word of truth lasts forever,
but lies last only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil,
but joy belongs to those who advise peace.
21 No ⌞lasting⌟ harm comes to a righteous person,
but wicked people have lots of trouble.
22 Lips that lie are disgusting to the Lord,
but honest people are his delight.
23 A sensible person ⌞discreetly⌟ hides knowledge,
but foolish minds preach stupidity.
24 Hard-working hands gain control,
but lazy hands do slave labor.
25 A person’s anxiety will weigh him down,
but an encouraging word makes him joyful.
26 A righteous person looks out for his neighbor,
but the path of wicked people leads others astray.
27 A lazy hunter does not catch his prey,
but a hard-working person becomes wealthy.
28 Everlasting life is on the way of righteousness.
Eternal death is not along its path.
Footnotes
- 12:6 Or “mouths.”
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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