Proverbs 12:9-12
Proverbs 12:9-12 The Message (MSG)
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.
Proverbs 12:9-12 King James Version (KJV)
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.
Proverbs 12:9-12 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant Than he who honors himself and lacks bread. A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense. The wicked man desires the booty of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
Proverbs 12:9-12 New Century Version (NCV)
A person who is not important but has a servant is better off than someone who acts important but has no food. Good people take care of their animals, but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Those who work their land will have plenty of food, but the one who chases empty dreams is not wise. The wicked want what other evil people have stolen, but good people want to give what they have to others.
Proverbs 12:9-12 American Standard Version (ASV)
Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that honoreth 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 have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons is void of understanding. The wicked desireth the net of evil men; But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
Proverbs 12:9-12 New International Version (NIV)
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.
Proverbs 12:9-12 New King James Version (NKJV)
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.
Proverbs 12:9-12 Amplified Bible (AMP)
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.
Proverbs 12:9-12 New Living Translation (NLT)
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.
Proverbs 12:9-12 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Just be who you are and work hard for a living, for that’s better than pretending to be important and starving to death. A good man takes care of the needs of his pets, while even the kindest acts of a wicked man are still cruel. Work hard at your job and you’ll have what you need. Following a get-rich-quick scheme is nothing but a fantasy. The cravings of the wicked are only for what is evil, but righteousness is the core motivation for the lovers of God, and it keeps them content and flourishing.
Proverbs 12:9-12 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
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.