Proverbs 12:8-9 - Compare All Versions
Proverbs 12:8-9 MSG (The Message)
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.
Proverbs 12:8-9 KJV (King James Version)
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.
Proverbs 12:8-9 NASB1995 (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)
A man will be praised according to his insight, But one of perverse mind will be despised. Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.
Proverbs 12:8-9 NCV (New Century Version)
The wisdom of the wise wins praise, but there is no respect for the stupid. A person who is not important but has a servant is better off than someone who acts important but has no food.
Proverbs 12:8-9 ASV (American Standard Version)
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom; But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.
Proverbs 12:8-9 NIV (New International Version)
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.
Proverbs 12:8-9 NKJV (New King James Version)
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.
Proverbs 12:8-9 AMP (Amplified Bible)
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.
Proverbs 12:8-9 NLT (New Living Translation)
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.
Proverbs 12:8-9 TPT (The Passion Translation)
Everyone admires a man of principles, but the one with a corrupt heart is despised. Just be who you are and work hard for a living, for that’s better than pretending to be important and starving to death.
Proverbs 12:8-9 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)
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.