Proverbs 12

Berean Standard Bible

Chapter summary

Proverbs 12 contrasts the behaviors, character traits, and outcomes of the righteous and the wicked across various aspects of daily life. The text details how wisdom, diligence, and truthful speech lead to stability, provision, and honor, whereas foolishness, laziness, deceit, and rash words result in ruin, trouble, and condemnation. It notes specific contrasts regarding social interactions, labor on the land, treatment of animals, family relationships, and emotional states such as anxiety and joy. Throughout the chapter, actions related to speech, work, and personal conduct are directly linked to distinct consequences for individuals and their households.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.

Words of Jesus in red

¹Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. ²The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil. ³A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. ⁴A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones. ⁵The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit. ⁶The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. ⁷The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand. ⁸A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised. ⁹Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food. ¹⁰A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty. ¹¹The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment. ¹²The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. ¹³An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble. ¹⁴By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him. ¹⁵The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. ¹⁶A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. ¹⁷He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. ¹⁸Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. ¹⁹Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. ²⁰Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy. ²¹No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. ²²Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. ²³A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly. ²⁴The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. ²⁵Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up. ²⁶A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray. ²⁷A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession. ²⁸There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.

Test this chapter

Louis Segond 1910 and Berean Standard Bible: public domain. Cross references: open-cross-ref, Creative Commons BY 4.0.