Chapter
Verse

Proverbs chapter 12

English Standard Version

1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. 2A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns. 3No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. 5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. 8A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. 9Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. 10 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. 11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. 12Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. 13An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. 14From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man 's hand comes back to him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. 16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. 17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. 18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. 21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. 23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. 24 The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. 25 Anxiety in a man 's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. 26One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. 28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.
New International Version

New American Standard Bible

1One who loves discipline loves knowledge, But one who hates rebuke is stupid. 2A good person will obtain favor from the Lord, But He will condemn a person who devises evil. 3A person will not be established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not be moved. 4An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones. 5The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6The words of the wicked wait in ambush for blood, But the mouth of the upright will rescue them. 7The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand. 8A person will be praised according to his insight, But one of perverse mind will be despised. 9Better is one who is lightly esteemed and has a servant, Than one who honors himself and lacks bread. 10A righteous person has regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. 11One who works his land will have plenty of bread, But one who pursues worthless things lacks sense. 12The wicked person desires the plunder of evil people, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. 13 An evil person is ensnared by the offense of his lips, But the righteous will escape from trouble. 14A person will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a person’s hands will return to him. 15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a person who listens to advice is wise. 16A fool’s anger is known at once, But a prudent person conceals dishonor. 17One who declares truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit. 18There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19Truthful lips will endure forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment. 20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. 21No harm happens to the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble. 22Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal faithfully are His delight. 23A prudent person conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. 24The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy hand will be put to forced labor. 25Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. 26The righteous person is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 A lazy person does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a person is diligence. 28In the way of righteousness there is life, And in its pathway there is no death.
Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

King James Version

New King James Version

1Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. 2A good man obtains favor from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. 3A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved. 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. 5The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand. 8A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised. 9 Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread. 10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding. 12The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. 13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble. 14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. 16 A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame. 17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit. 18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. 19The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. 21 No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil. 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. 23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. 24 The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. 25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. 26The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession. 28In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.

What does Proverbs chapter 12 mean?

Chapter 12 continues to offer individual statements of common sense and godly wisdom.

The first portion of this chapter compares the various lifestyles of God-fearing people (Proverbs 1:7) to the lives of those who choose foolishness and sin. Among the highlights of this advice is the "stupidity"—the irrationality—of those who refuse to take good advice. Likewise, it is noted that it's better to "be" successful, even if others do not know it, rather than to "appear" successful and be a failure. Solomon also connects a person's treatment of animals to their righteousness (Proverbs 12:1–11).

The next part of chapter 12 makes frequent references to speech. Those who lie put themselves at risk: their own deceit, eventually, contradicts itself and they will be caught. Those who patiently hold their tongue, waiting to speak until they have something useful and helpful to say, are wise. In contrast are those who can't control their speech, hurting other people and damaging their own reputation in the process. Of special distaste to God are those who persistently lie (Proverbs 12:12–23).

The last statements of this chapter return to the opposing results of godliness, versus sin. Hard work, honesty, goodness, and kind words benefit a person and those around him. Laziness, lies, and rebellion against God are paths to disaster (Proverbs 12:24–28).
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