Proverbs 12
New Living Translation
12 To learn, you must love discipline;
it is stupid to hate correction.
2 The Lord approves of those who are good,
but he condemns those who plan wickedness.
3 Wickedness never brings stability,
but the godly have deep roots.
4 A worthy wife is a crown for her husband,
but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.
5 The plans of the godly are just;
the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6 The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,
but the words of the godly save lives.
7 The wicked die and disappear,
but the family of the godly stands firm.
8 A sensible person wins admiration,
but a warped mind is despised.
9 Better to be an ordinary person with a servant
than to be self-important but have no food.
10 The godly care for their animals,
but the wicked are always cruel.
11 A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.
12 Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,
but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.
13 The wicked are trapped by their own words,
but the godly escape such trouble.
14 Wise words bring many benefits,
and hard work brings rewards.
15 Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to others.
16 A fool is quick-tempered,
but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
17 An honest witness tells the truth;
a false witness tells lies.
18 Some people make cutting remarks,
but the words of the wise bring healing.
19 Truthful words stand the test of time,
but lies are soon exposed.
20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
21 No harm comes to the godly,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in those who tell the truth.
23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
but fools broadcast their foolishness.
24 Work hard and become a leader;
be lazy and become a slave.
25 Worry weighs a person down;
an encouraging word cheers a person up.
26 The godly give good advice to their friends;[a]
the wicked lead them astray.
27 Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch,
but the diligent make use of everything they find.
28 The way of the godly leads to life;
that path does not lead to death.
Footnotes
- 12:26 Or The godly are cautious in friendship; or The godly are freed from evil. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
Proverbs 12
Easy-to-Read Version
12 Whoever loves discipline loves to learn; whoever hates to be corrected is stupid.
2 It is good to learn what pleases the Lord, because he condemns those who plan to do wrong.
3 Evil people are never safe, but good people remain safe and secure.
4 A good wife is like a crown to her husband, but a shameful wife is like a cancer.
5 Good people are honest and fair in all they do, but those who are evil lie and cannot be trusted.
6 Evil people use their words to hurt others, but the words from good people can save others from danger.
7 When evil people are destroyed, they are gone and forgotten, but good people are remembered long after they are gone.
8 You praise people for their intelligence, but no one respects those who are stupid.
9 It is better to appear unimportant and have a servant than to pretend to be important and have no food.
10 Good people take good care of their animals, but the wicked know only how to be cruel.[a]
11 Farmers who work their land have plenty of food, but those who waste their time on worthless projects are foolish.
12 The wicked want a share of what an evil man might catch. But like a plant with deep roots, a good man is the one who produces the most.[b]
13 The wicked are trapped by their foolish words, but good people escape from such trouble.
14 People get good things for the words they say, and they are rewarded for the work they do.
15 Fools always think their own way is best, but wise people listen to what others tell them.
16 Fools are easily upset, but wise people avoid insulting others.
17 Good people speak the truth and can be trusted in court, but liars make bad witnesses.
18 Speak without thinking, and your words can cut like a knife. Be wise, and your words can heal.
19 Lies last only a moment, but the truth lasts forever.
20 People who work for evil make trouble, but those who plan for peace bring happiness.
21 The Lord will keep good people safe, but evil people will have many troubles.
22 The Lord hates people who tell lies, but he is pleased with those who tell the truth.
23 Smart people don’t tell everything they know, but fools tell everything and show they are fools.
24 Those who work hard will be put in charge of others, but lazy people will have to work like slaves.
25 Worry takes away your joy, but a kind word makes you happy.
26 Good people are careful about choosing their friends, but evil people always choose the wrong ones.
27 Lazy people don’t get what they want, but riches come to those who work hard.
28 Along the path of goodness there is life; that is the way to live forever.[c]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:10 but the wicked … cruel Or “but even the ‘kindness’ of the wicked is still cruelty.”
- Proverbs 12:12 The Hebrew text here is hard to understand.
- Proverbs 12:28 that is … forever Or “but there is a path that leads to death.”
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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