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Proverbs 12:1-15 - Compare All Versions

Proverbs 12:1-15 NIV (New International Version)

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes. No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised. Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures. Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble. From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

Proverbs 12:1-15 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of evil devices he condemns. No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 12:1-15 NLT (New Living Translation)

To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. The LORD approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness. Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots. A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones. The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous. The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives. The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm. A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised. Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food. The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel. A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense. Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot, but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit. The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble. Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

Proverbs 12:1-15 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid.  One who is good obtains favor from the  LORD,  but he condemns a person who schemes.  No one can be made secure by wickedness, but the root of the righteous is immovable.  A wife of noble character  is her husband’s crown,  but a wife who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.  The thoughts of the righteous are just, but guidance from the wicked is deceitful. The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,  but the speech of the upright rescues them.  The wicked are overthrown and perish,  but the house of the righteous will stand.  A man is praised for his insight, but a twisted mind is despised. Better to be disregarded, yet have a servant, than to act important but have no food.  The righteous cares about his animal’s health,  but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel. The one who works his land will have plenty of food,  but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.  The wicked desire what evil people have caught,  but the root of the righteous is productive. By rebellious speech an evil person is trapped,  but a righteous person escapes from trouble.  A person will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,  and the work of a person’s hands will reward him.  A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,  but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

Proverbs 12:1-15 KJV (King James Version)

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: But he that hateth reproof is brutish. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: But a man of wicked devices will he condemn. A man shall not be established by wickedness: But the root of the righteous shall not be moved. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. The thoughts of the righteous are right: But the counsels of the wicked are deceit. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. The wicked are overthrown, and are not: But the house of the righteous shall stand. A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better Than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: But he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. The wicked desireth the net of evil men: But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: But the just shall come out of trouble. 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. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: But he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Proverbs 12:1-15 NKJV (New King James Version)

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. A good man obtains favor from the LORD, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand. A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised. Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread. A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding. The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble. 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. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Proverbs 12:1-15 MSG (The Message)

If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it— how shortsighted to refuse correction! A good person basks in the delight of GOD, and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers. You can’t find firm footing in a swamp, but life rooted in God stands firm. A hearty wife invigorates her husband, but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones. The thinking of principled people makes for justice; the plots of degenerates corrupt. The words of the wicked kill; the speech of the upright saves. Wicked people fall to pieces—there’s nothing to them; the homes of good people hold together. A person who talks sense is honored; airheads are held in contempt. Better to be ordinary and work for a living than act important and starve in the process. Good people are good to their animals; the “good-hearted” bad people kick and abuse them. The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies. What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin, while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life. The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it. Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward. Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.

Proverbs 12:1-15 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)

One who loves discipline loves knowledge, But one who hates rebuke is stupid. A good person will obtain favor from the LORD, But He will condemn a person who devises evil. A person will not be established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not be moved. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones. The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The words of the wicked wait in ambush for blood, But the mouth of the upright will rescue them. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand. A person will be praised according to his insight, But one of perverse mind will be despised. Better is one who is lightly esteemed and has a servant, Than one who honors himself and lacks bread. A righteous person has regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. One who works his land will have plenty of bread, But one who pursues worthless things lacks sense. The wicked person desires the plunder of evil people, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. An evil person is ensnared by the offense of his lips, But the righteous will escape from trouble. A person will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a person’s hands will return to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a person who listens to advice is wise.

Proverbs 12:1-15 AMP (Amplified Bible)

Whoever loves instruction and discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof and correction is stupid. A good man will obtain favor from the LORD, But He will condemn a man who devises evil. A man will not be established by wickedness, But the root of the [consistently] righteous will not be moved. A virtuous and excellent wife [worthy of honor] is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him [with her foolishness] is like rottenness in his bones. [Prov 31:23; 1 Cor 11:7] The thoughts and purposes of the [consistently] righteous are just (honest, reliable), But the counsels and schemes of the wicked are deceitful. The [malevolent] words of the wicked lie in wait for [innocent] blood [to slander], But the mouth of the upright will rescue and protect them. The wicked are overthrown [by their evil] and are no more, But the house of the [consistently] righteous will stand [securely]. A man will be commended according to his insight and sound judgment, But the one who is of a perverse mind will be despised. Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant, Than he who [boastfully] honors himself [pretending to be what he is not] and lacks bread. A righteous man has kind regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. [Deut 25:4] He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment. The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields richer fruit. An evil man is [dangerously] ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will escape from trouble. A man will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him [as a harvest]. The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes, But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel. [Prov 3:7; 9:9; 21:2]

Proverbs 12:1-15 NET (New English Translation)

The one who loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates reproof is stupid. A good person obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a person with wicked schemes. No one can be established through wickedness, but a righteous root cannot be moved. A noble wife is the crown of her husband, but the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones. The plans of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The words of the wicked lie in wait to shed innocent blood, but the words of the upright will deliver them. The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the righteous household will stand. A person is praised in accordance with his wisdom, but the one who has a twisted mind is despised. Better is a person of humble standing who nevertheless has a servant, than one who pretends to be somebody important yet has no food. A righteous person cares for the life of his animal, but even the most compassionate acts of the wicked are cruel. The one who works his field will have plenty of food, but whoever chases daydreams lacks wisdom. The wicked person desires a stronghold, but the righteous root endures. The evil person is ensnared by the transgression of his speech, but the righteous person escapes out of trouble. A person will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words, and the work of his hands will be rendered to him. The way of a fool is right in his own opinion, but the one who listens to advice is wise.