Proverbs 12
The Voice
12 Those who love discipline love knowledge,
but fools hate any kind of correction.
2 The Eternal prefers those who do good,
but He condemns those who plot evil.
3 Doing what is wrong keeps everyone off balance and insecure,
but those who do right will never be uprooted.
4 A dignified wife brings honor to her husband,
but a shameful wife is like decay eating away at his bones.
5 The thoughts of the right-living tend toward justice,
but the guidance of the wicked is trickery and treachery.
6 The words of the wicked ambush from the shadows, seeking blood,
but the speech of the honest keeps them free.
7 The wrongdoers are overthrown—no one is left!
But the house of the right-living remains strong.
8 A person is commended for expressing insight,
but a perverted heart is despised.
9 It is better to be overlooked and have a servant
than to be pretentious and have nothing to eat.
10 Those who are righteous treat their animals humanely,
but the compassion of the wicked is really inhumane.
A person in a positive relationship with God stands in a right relationship with His creation. How we treat animals may mirror our souls—not just the pets in our home, but the pets in our neighborhood and the animals in our food supply. One who is truly right with God considers the needs of His creatures.
11 Whoever works the land will have more than enough food,
but whoever follows empty pursuits lacks sense.
12 The wicked envy what the evil plunder,
but the root of the right-living produces fruit for all.
13 A wrongdoer is soon boxed in by his deceitful talk,
but the one who does right escapes from trouble unharmed.
14 Words spoken wisely result in much good,
and working with your hands pays a large reward.
15 Fools follow their own directions and think they are right,
but wise people listen intently to advice.
16 A fool’s anger is quickly evident,
but a clever person knows how to hide his flaws.
17 A faithful witness speaks the truth,
but a false witness utters lies.
18 Thoughtless words cut deeply like a thrusting sword,
but the speech of the wise is a healing balm.
19 Truth spoken will stand forever,
but lies survive only briefly.
20 Deceit darkens the hearts of those who plot evil,
but advocates of peace have joy.
21 The right-living are not overcome with calamity,
but wrongdoers have their fill of it.
22 Lying lips disgust the Eternal,
but those who act faithfully delight Him.
23 A clever man is careful in revealing what he knows,
but a fool betrays his incompetence.
24 The hand of the hard workers will one day rule,
and slackers will be forced to labor.
25 The weight of worry drags us down,
but a good word lightens our day.
26 Those who live right are good guides to those who follow,[a]
but wrongdoers will steer their friends down the wrong path.
27 Slackers don’t take time to cook their food,[b]
but hard workers prize everything they have.
28 Life springs up along the path of integrity,
and death has no place along its course.
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 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
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.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
