Get the free app for more features and content.
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.

2The good obtain favor from the Lord,

but those who devise evil he condemns.

3No one finds security by wickedness,

but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

4A good wife is the crown of her husband,

but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

5The thoughts of the righteous are just;

the advice of the wicked is treacherous.

6The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,

but the speech of the upright delivers them.

7The wicked are overthrown and are no more,

but the house of the righteous will stand.

8One is commended for good sense,

but a perverse mind is despised.

9Better to be despised and have a servant,

than to be self-important and lack food.

10The righteous know the needs of their animals,

but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

11Those who till their land will have plenty of food,

but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.

12The wicked covet the proceeds of wickedness,

but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

13The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,

but the righteous escape from trouble.

14From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,

and manual labor has its reward.

15Fools think their own way is right,

but the wise listen to advice.

16Fools show their anger at once,

but the prudent ignore an insult.

17Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,

but a false witness speaks deceitfully.

18Rash words are like sword thrusts,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19Truthful lips endure forever,

but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

20Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil,

but those who counsel peace have joy.

21No harm happens to the righteous,

but the wicked are filled with trouble.

22Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

but those who act faithfully are his delight.

23One who is clever conceals knowledge,

but the mind of a fool broadcasts folly.

24The hand of the diligent will rule,

while the lazy will be put to forced labor.

25Anxiety weighs down the human heart,

but a good word cheers it up.

26The righteous gives good advice to friends,

but the way of the wicked leads astray.

27The lazy do not roast their game,

but the diligent obtain precious wealth.

28In the path of righteousness there is life,

in walking its path there is no death.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Click here to learn more.

Featured Resources

The Book of Proverbs • What It Teaches About Being Good at Life

The Book of Proverbs • What It Teaches About Be...

Proverbs is the accumulation of wisdom from generations of godly insightful p...

BibleProject

Introduction to Proverbs

Introduction to Proverbs

Dr. Kara Powell introduces Proverbs from the perspective of practical theolog...

Fuller Studio

The Books of Solomon

The Books of Solomon

The wisest king of Israel, King Solomon, is associated with three books of th...

BibleProject

Book of Proverbs Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

Book of Proverbs Summary: A Complete Animated O...

Watch our overview video on the book of Proverbs, which breaks down the liter...

BibleProject

Old Testament Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

Old Testament Summary: A Complete Animated Over...

Watch our overview video on the Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible...

BibleProject

Explore Proverbs 12