Proverbs 12

Discipline, Truthful Speech, Diligence, and the Stable Root of the Righteous

The chapter moves through moral contrasts around discipline, stability, household life, prudence, work, speech, counsel, truth, peace, diligence, anxiety, friendship, and the life-giving path of righteousness.

World English Bible, Public Domain

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Discipline, Favor, Wicked Schemes, and Stability

The chapter begins by contrasting love of discipline with hatred of correction. The good person obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns one who devises wicked schemes. A person cannot be established by wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, while a disgraceful wife is 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, while the speech of the upright rescues. The wicked are overthrown and gone, but the house of the righteous stands firm.

Proverbs 12:1

Wisdom loves correction, but rejecting reproof reveals destructive foolishness.

Divine Discipline Sanctification Holiness

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1 Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Proverbs 12:2

God's favor rests on those who pursue goodness, but He condemns those who plot evil.

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2 A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.

Proverbs 12:3

Wickedness produces instability, but righteousness creates unshakable rootedness.

Righteousness Perseverance Judgment Remnant

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3 A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

Proverbs 12:4

A virtuous wife brings honor and strength to the household, but disgrace within the marriage destroys it from the inside.

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4 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.

Proverbs 12:5

Righteous thinking leads to justice, but wicked schemes are rooted in deception.

Human Sinfulness Judgment

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5 The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

Proverbs 12:6

Wicked speech destroys life, but upright speech rescues and protects.

Human Sinfulness Sanctification Judgment Remnant

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6 The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

Proverbs 12:7

Wickedness collapses and disappears, but righteousness produces enduring stability.

Divine Justice Righteousness Judgment Remnant

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7 The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.

Prudence, Household Labor, and Care for Creation

A person is praised according to prudence, while one with a warped mind is despised. Better to be lightly esteemed and have a servant than to pretend importance and lack food. The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. The one who works the land has abundant food, while the one who chases fantasies lacks sense. The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.

Proverbs 12:8

Wisdom earns honor, but a twisted heart leads to disgrace.

Wisdom Human Sinfulness Moral Accountability Sanctification

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8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.

Proverbs 12:9

Humble sufficiency is better than prideful pretense that hides real need.

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9 Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.

Proverbs 12:10

Righteousness produces compassionate care, but wickedness corrupts even acts of mercy.

Human Sinfulness Divine Compassion Holiness

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10 A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

Proverbs 12:11

Diligent labor brings provision, but chasing worthless pursuits leads to emptiness.

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11 He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.

Proverbs 12:12

The wicked crave the gains of evil, but the righteous produce enduring fruit from a stable root.

Righteousness Sanctification Remnant

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12 The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.

Speech, Fruit, Fools, and Truthful Witness

Evildoers are trapped by sinful talk, but the righteous escape trouble. From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings reward. Fools think their own way is right, while the wise listen to advice. Fools show annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook insult. An honest witness tells the truth, while a false witness tells lies. Reckless words pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Proverbs 12:13

Sinful speech traps the wicked, but the righteous find deliverance.

Human Sinfulness Moral Accountability Righteousness Sanctification Judgment Holiness

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13 An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.

Proverbs 12:14

The fruit of speech and the work of one's hands both produce fitting outcomes in life.

Moral Accountability Wisdom Sanctification Judgment

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14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.

Proverbs 12:15

Fools trust themselves, but the wise listen to counsel.

Wisdom Sanctification

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15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.

Proverbs 12:16

Fools expose their anger quickly, but the prudent restrain themselves and overlook insults.

Human Sinfulness Wisdom Sanctification

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16 A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

Proverbs 12:17

Truthful speech promotes justice, but deceitful speech spreads falsehood.

Human Sinfulness Sanctification Judgment

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17 He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.

Proverbs 12:18

Reckless words wound like swords, but wise speech brings healing.

Human Sinfulness Wisdom Sanctification Moral Accountability

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18 There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.

Proverbs 12:19

Truth endures, but lies are temporary.

Human Sinfulness Moral Accountability Sanctification

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19 Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.

Deceit, Peace, Diligence, Anxiety, and the Path of Life

Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. The LORD detests lying lips but delights in trustworthy people. The prudent keep knowledge to themselves, but fools broadcast folly. Diligent hands rule, while laziness ends in forced labor. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. The righteous choose friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. The chapter closes by declaring that in the way of righteousness there is life, and along that path is immortality or no death.

Proverbs 12:20

Deceit fills the hearts of those who plan evil, but joy belongs to those who promote peace.

Human Sinfulness

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20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.

Proverbs 12:21

The righteous are preserved from lasting harm, but the wicked are filled with trouble.

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21 No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.

Proverbs 12:22

God detests lying speech but delights in faithful truthfulness.

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22 Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight.

Proverbs 12:23

The prudent restrain knowledge with wisdom, but fools loudly reveal their folly.

Wisdom Sanctification

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23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

Proverbs 12:24

Diligence leads toward leadership, but laziness results in subjection.

Moral Accountability Wisdom Sanctification

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24 The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.

Proverbs 12:25

Anxiety burdens the heart, but encouraging words lift it.

Wisdom Sanctification

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25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.

Proverbs 12:26

The righteous guide wisely, but the wicked wander into deception.

Wisdom Human Sinfulness Sanctification Remnant

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26 A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 12:27

The lazy waste opportunity, but the diligent value and cultivate what they have.

Moral Accountability Stewardship Wisdom

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27 The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.

Proverbs 12:28

Righteous living follows a path that leads to life.

Righteousness Divine Justice Moral Accountability Resurrection

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28 In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.

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