Proverbs — Chapter 12
Loading ESV text...
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.
1Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
12The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
23A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
1Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; But he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2A good man shall obtain favor of Jehovah; But a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3A man shall not be established by wickedness; But the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4A worthy woman is the crown of her husband; But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5The thoughts of the righteous are just; [But] the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood; But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7The wicked are overthrown, and are not; But the house of the righteous shall stand.
8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom; But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.
10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain [persons] is void of understanding.
12The wicked desireth the net of evil men; But the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].
13In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man; But the righteous shall come out of trouble.
14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth; And the doings of a man`s hands shall be rendered unto him.
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16A fool`s vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.
17He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness; But a false witness, deceit.
18There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health.
19The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; But to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21There shall no mischief happen to the righteous; But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; But they that deal truly are his delight.
23A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; But the slothful shall be put under taskwork.
25Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good word maketh it glad.
26The righteous is a guide to his neighbor; But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of men [is to] the diligent.
28In the way of righteousness is life; And in the pathway thereof there is no death.
1The one who loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates reproof is stupid.
2A good person obtains favor from the Lord, but the Lord condemns a person with wicked schemes.
3No one can be established through wickedness, but a righteous root cannot be moved.
4A noble wife is the crown of her husband, but the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.
5The plans of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6The words of the wicked lie in wait to shed innocent blood, but the words of the upright will deliver them.
7The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the righteous household will stand.
8A person will be praised in accordance with his wisdom, but the one with a bewildered mind will be despised.
9Better is a person of humble standing who works for himself, than one who pretends to be somebody important yet has no food.
10A righteous person cares for the life of his animal, but even the most compassionate acts of the wicked are cruel.
11The one who works his field will have plenty of food, but whoever chases daydreams lacks sense.
12The wicked person has desired the stronghold of the wicked, but the root of the righteous will yield fruit.
13The evil person is ensnared by the transgression of his speech, but the righteous person escapes out of trouble.
14A person will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words, and the work of his hands will be rendered to him.
15The way of a fool is right in his own opinion, but the one who listens to advice is wise.
16A fool’s annoyance is known at once, but the prudent conceals dishonor.
17The faithful witness tells what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
18Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing.
19The one who tells the truth will endure forever, but the one who lies will last only for a moment.
20Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
21No harm will be directed at the righteous, but the wicked are filled with calamity.
22The Lord abhors a person who lies, but those who deal truthfully are his delight.
23The shrewd person conceals knowledge, but foolish people proclaim folly.
24The diligent person will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down, but an encouraging word brings him joy.
26The righteous person is cautious in his friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27The lazy person does not roast his prey, but personal possessions are precious to the diligent.
28In the path of righteousness there is life, but another path leads to death.
1Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.
3A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.
5The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
9Better is he who is little know, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
10A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
12The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.
16A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
17He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.
18There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
19Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
20Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
21No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight.
23A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
24The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
25Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
26A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
28In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.
Summary
Solomon opens by saying that loving instruction reflects a love of knowledge, while hating correction is foolish (v. 1). A good wife is her husband's pride, but a disgraceful one saps his strength (v. 4), and the righteous, unlike the wicked, are firmly established and produce lasting fruit (vv. 3, 7, 12). Speech is a major theme again: truthful lips endure while lying lips are detestable to the LORD and only last a moment, and words can wound like a sword or bring healing (vv. 17-19, 22). Diligence brings satisfaction and authority, while laziness leaves a person empty-handed, unable even to enjoy what he catches (vv. 11, 24, 27). The chapter closes by affirming that the path of righteousness leads to life, with no death found along it (v. 28).
Authorship & Background
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik emphasizes v.10 as evidence that righteousness is comprehensive — it extends even to animals. A person's character is revealed in how they treat the powerless. On v.15, he notes that the fool doesn't KNOW he's a fool — that's what makes him dangerous. He is "right in his own eyes" and therefore impervious to correction.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
- Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.
Videos
Articles
- GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of Proverbs -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.
Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.
Reflection
- How You Respond to Correction Reveals Your Character (v.1) — loving instruction is called wise, while hating correction is called dumb and brutish. Do you welcome feedback as a gift, or does it feel like an attack you have to defend against?
- Righteousness Shows in How You Treat the Powerless (v.10) — a righteous person cares even for the needs of an animal, while the compassion of the wicked is called cruel. How you treat people who can't do anything for you is often the clearest test of your actual character.
- The Fool Rarely Knows He's a Fool (v.15) — a fool's way seems right in his own eyes, but a wise person actually listens to counsel. Are you someone who regularly seeks input from others, or do you assume your own judgment doesn't need checking?
- Words Cut Like Swords or Heal Like Medicine (v.18) — reckless words are compared to sword thrusts, while the words of the wise bring healing. Before your next hard conversation, are you preparing to wound or to mend?
- Diligence, Not Ambition, Leads to Influence (v.24) — the diligent are said to rule, while the lazy end up in forced labor. Are you pursuing greater responsibility through the quality of your work, or just hoping for it to be handed to you?