Proverbs 12 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 12
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BSB
Berean Standard Bible
ESV
English Standard Version
KJV
King James Version
NIV
New International Version
NLT
New Living Translation
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.
2 The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil. A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of evil devices he condemns. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes. The LORD approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness.
3 A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.
4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit. The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.
7 The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm.
8 A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised. A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised. A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised.
9 Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food. Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty. Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.
11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment. Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.
12 The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures. Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot, but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.
13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble. An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble. The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.
14 By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him. From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him. 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. From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.
16 A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
17 He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies. An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies.
18 Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy. Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.
23 A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly. A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly. The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray. One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.
27 A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession. Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find.
28 There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death. In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality. The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death.
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