Proverbs 12
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 12
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates reproof is stupid.[a](A)
2 A good person wins favor from the Lord,
but the schemer he condemns.[b]
3 No one is made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the just will never be disturbed.[c]
4 A woman of worth is the crown of her husband,(B)
but a disgraceful one is like rot in his bones.[d]
5 The plans of the just are right;
the designs of the wicked are deceit.[e]
6 The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,
but the speech of the upright saves them.[f]
7 Overthrow the wicked and they are no more,
but the house of the just stands firm.
8 For their good sense people are praised,
but the perverse of heart are despised.[g]
9 Better to be slighted and have a servant
than put on airs and lack bread.(C)
10 The just take care of their livestock,
but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.[h]
11 Those who till their own land have food in plenty,
but those who engage in idle pursuits lack sense.[i](D)
12 A wicked person desires the catch of evil people,
but the root of the righteous will bear fruit.[j]
13 By the sin of their lips the wicked are ensnared,
but the just escape from a tight spot.
14 From the fruit of their mouths people have their fill of good,(E)
and the works of their hands come back upon them.[k]
15 The way of fools is right in their own eyes,
but those who listen to advice are the wise.
16 Fools immediately show their anger,
but the shrewd conceal contempt.
17 Whoever speaks honestly testifies truly,
but the deceitful make lying witnesses.[l](F)
18 The babble of some people is like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise is healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
the lying tongue, for only a moment.[m]
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil,
but those who counsel peace have joy.
21 No harm befalls the just,
but the wicked are overwhelmed with misfortune.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,(G)
but those who are truthful, his delight.
23 The shrewd conceal knowledge,
but the hearts of fools proclaim folly.[n]
24 The diligent hand will govern,
but sloth makes for forced labor.(H)
25 Worry weighs down the heart,
but a kind word gives it joy.(I)
26 The just act as guides to their neighbors,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 Sloth does not catch its prey,
but the wealth of the diligent is splendid.
28 In the path of justice is life,
but the way of abomination leads to death.
Footnotes
- 12:1 Discipline in Proverbs is both doctrine and training. The path to wisdom includes obedience to teachers and parents, acceptance of the community’s traditions.
- 12:2 The antithesis is between the good person who, by reason of that goodness, already has divine acceptance, and the wicked person who, despite great effort, gains only condemnation.
- 12:3 Human beings are described as “made secure” in Jb 21:8; Ps 101:7; 102:29. “Root” in the context means enduring to succeeding generations, as in Mal 3:19 and Jb 8:17.
- 12:4 In Proverbs a crown is the result and sign of wise conduct. A good wife is a public sign of the husband’s shrewd judgment and divine blessing (crown), whereas a bad wife brings him inner pain (rot in the bones).
- 12:5 The opposite of “just” is not injustice but “deceit.” The wicked will be deceived in their plans in the sense that their planning will not succeed.
- 12:6 Words are a favorite theme of Proverbs. The words of the wicked effect harm to others whereas the words of the righteous protect themselves.
- 12:8 The heart, the seat of intelligence, will eventually be revealed in the actions that people do, either for praise or for blame.
- 12:10 The righteous are sympathetically aware of the needs of their livestock and prosper from their herd’s good health. The wicked will pay the price for their self-centeredness and cruelty.
- 12:11 The second line clarifies the first: idleness will give one plenty of nothing. “Lacking sense” is a common phrase for fools.
- 12:12 A difficult, possibly corrupt saying, but there is no good alternative to the Hebrew text. The wicked desire what the malevolent have captured or killed, but their actions will go for naught because they invite punishment. The righteous, on the other hand, will bear fruit.
- 12:14 The saying contrasts words and deeds. “Fruit” here is not what one normally eats, as in 1:31; 8:19; 31:16, 31, but the consequences of one’s actions. In the second line the things that issue from one’s hands (one’s deeds) come back to one in recompense or punishment. Prv 13:2a and 18:20 are variants. Cf. Mt 7:17; Gal 6:8.
- 12:17 What is the rule of thumb for judging legal testimony? Look to the ordinary conduct and daily speech of a witness.
- 12:19 The saying has a double meaning: lies are quickly found out whereas truthful statements endure; truth-tellers, being favored by God, live long lives, whereas liars invite punishment.
- 12:23 “Knowledge” here is “what one knows, has in one’s heart,” not knowledge in general. Fools reveal all they have stored in their heart and it naturally turns out to be folly. Revealing and concealing are constant themes in Proverbs.
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
Proverbs 12
New Century Version
12 Anyone who loves learning accepts correction,
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 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 about killing people,
but the words of good people will save them.
7 Wicked people die and they are no more,
but a good person’s family continues.
8 The wisdom of the wise wins praise,
but there is no respect for the stupid.
9 A person who is not important but has a servant is better off
than someone who acts important but has no food.
10 Good people take care of their animals,
but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have plenty of food,
but the one who chases empty dreams is not wise.
12 The wicked want what other evil people have stolen,
but good people want to give what they have to others.
13 Evil people are trapped by their evil talk,
but good people stay out of trouble.
14 People will be rewarded for what they say,
and they will also be rewarded for what they do.
15 Fools think they are doing right,
but the wise listen to advice.
16 Fools quickly show that they are upset,
but the wise ignore insults.
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 continue forever,
but lies are only for a moment.
20 Those who plan evil are full of lies,
but those who plan peace are 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 is pleased with those who keep their promises.
23 Wise people keep what they know to themselves,
but fools can’t keep from showing how foolish they are.
24 Hard workers will become leaders,
but those who are lazy will be slaves.
25 Worry is a heavy load,
but a kind word cheers you up.
26 Good people take advice from their friends,
but an evil person is easily led to do wrong.
27 The lazy catch 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.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.