Font Size
Proverbs 12
Revised Geneva Translation
Proverbs 12
Revised Geneva Translation
12 Whoever loves instruction, loves knowledge. But he who hates correction, is a fool.
2 A good man gets favor from the LORD. But the man of wicked imaginations He will condemn.
3 A man cannot be established by wickedness. But the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A virtuous woman is the crown of her husband. But she who makes 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 deliver them.
7 God overthrows 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 perverse of heart shall be despised.
9 He who is despised, and has his own servant, is better than he who boasts of himself, and lacks bread.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his beast. But the mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who tills his land, shall be satisfied with bread. But he who follows the idle, is destitute of understanding.
12 The wicked desire the net of evils. But the root of the righteous gives 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 satisfied with good things by the fruit of his mouth. And the recompense of a man’s hands shall God give to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes. But he who hears counsel, is wise.
16 A fool shall be known by his anger in a day. But he who covers shame, is wise.
17 He who speaks truth, will show righteousness. But a false witness uses deceit.
18 There is one who speaks words like the prickings of a sword. But the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lip of truth shall be stable forever. But a lying tongue varies incontinently.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who imagine evil. But to the counselors of peace shall be joy.
21 No iniquity shall come to the just. But the wicked are full of evil.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD. But those who deal truly are His delight.
23 The wise conceal knowledge. But the heart of fools publishes foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule. But the idle shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man brings it down. But a good word rejoices it.
26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor. But the way of the wicked will deceive them.
27 The deceitful does not roast that which he 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.
Proverbs 12
English Standard Version
Proverbs 12
English Standard Version
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who (A)hates reproof is (B)stupid.
2 A good man (C)obtains favor from the Lord,
but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3 No one is established by wickedness,
but the root of (D)the righteous will never be moved.
4 (E)An excellent wife is (F)the crown of her husband,
but she who (G)brings shame is like (H)rottenness in his bones.
5 (I)The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked (J)lie in wait for blood,
but (K)the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7 (L)The wicked are (M)overthrown and are no more,
(N)but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man is commended according to his good sense,
but one of twisted mind is (O)despised.
9 Better to be lowly and have a servant
than to play the great man and lack bread.
10 (P)Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11 (Q)Whoever works his land (R)will have plenty of bread,
(S)but he who follows (T)worthless pursuits lacks sense.
12 Whoever is wicked covets (U)the spoil of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 An evil man is ensnared (V)by the transgression of his lips,[a]
(W)but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth (X)a man is satisfied with good,
(Y)and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
15 (Z)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
16 (AA)The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent ignores an insult.
17 (AB)Whoever speaks[b] the truth gives honest evidence,
but (AC)a false witness utters deceit.
18 (AD)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings (AE)healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but (AF)a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of (AG)those who devise evil,
but those who plan peace have joy.
21 (AH)No ill befalls the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 (AI)Lying lips are (AJ)an abomination to the Lord,
(AK)but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 (AL)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
(AM)but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 (AN)The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the slothful will be (AO)put to forced labor.
25 (AP)Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,[c]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 (AQ)Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
but the diligent man will get precious wealth.[d]
28 (AR)In the path of righteousness is life,
and in its pathway there is no death.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:13 Or In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare
- Proverbs 12:17 Hebrew breathes out
- Proverbs 12:26 Or The righteous chooses his friends carefully
- Proverbs 12:27 Or but diligence is precious wealth
Proverbs 12
New International Version
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.
Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)
© 2019, 2024 by Five Talents Audio. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.