Proverbs Chapter 12
Showing all 28 verses for Proverbs Chapter 12.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. "
"Anyone who loves being taught loves knowledge, but anyone who hates being corrected is being thick-headed, like an animal that can't learn."
Don't let your pride shut the door on correction. The people willing to hear hard truths about themselves are the ones who actually keep growing.
"A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. "
"A good person gains God's approval, but God condemns someone who schemes wickedly."
Live with an honest heart, not a scheming one. Goodness that's real, not performed for an audience, is what I actually notice.
"A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. "
"No one builds a stable life on wickedness, but the righteous are rooted and unshakeable."
Build your life on something that can actually hold weight - honesty, love, faithfulness - not on shortcuts that will eventually crumble under you.
"A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. "
"A capable, strong-charactered wife is her husband's crowning glory, but a disgraceful wife is like a disease eating him from within."
If you're in a close relationship, build each other up rather than tearing each other down. The health of what's between you shapes both your lives more than either of you might realise.
"The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. "
"Righteous people think straight, but wicked people plan and scheme deceit."
Guard your thoughts, because that's where everything else starts. Think honestly, and your actions will naturally follow.
"The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. "
"The words of wicked people are an ambush aimed at harming others, but the words of honest people rescue people."
Use your words to rescue people, not to trap them. Before you speak, ask honestly which one you're about to do.
"The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. "
"The wicked are toppled and gone, but the household of the righteous keeps standing."
Build something in your life and family that will still be standing long after the shortcuts and shady deals of others have collapsed around them.
"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 how wise they are, but a twisted heart earns contempt."
Chase real wisdom, not just a good reputation. The two tend to follow each other naturally, given enough time.
"He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. "
"Better to be a nobody who has enough to get by than to show off as somebody while you've got nothing to eat."
Don't fake a status you don't actually have. It's far better to live modestly and honestly than to perform a wealth or importance that isn't real.
"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. "
"A good person cares for the wellbeing of their animals, but even the kindness of wicked people has cruelty in it."
Notice how you treat those who can't fight back or pay you back - animals, the powerless, anyone with no leverage over you. That's where your real character shows.
"He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. "
"Whoever works their land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases empty pursuits has no sense."
Put your energy into real, honest work rather than empty distractions. Substance beats shortcuts, every single time.
"The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. "
"The wicked crave what evil people have grabbed for themselves, but the righteous grow their own fruit from their own roots."
Don't covet what someone else grabbed through dishonest means. Grow your own good fruit through honest effort instead - it's slower, but it's actually yours.
"The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. "
"Wicked people are trapped by their own careless words, but the righteous escape trouble."
Watch your words carefully, because they can become the very trap that catches you. Speak with care, and you'll find your own way through difficulty.
"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. "
"A person is rewarded by the good words they speak, and their actions come back to reward them too."
What you say and what you do both come back around to you eventually. Make both of them things you'd actually be glad to receive back.
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. "
"A fool thinks their own way is always right, but a wise person listens to advice."
Don't trust your own judgement so much that you stop listening to others. Real wisdom always leaves room to be corrected.
"A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. "
"A fool's anger shows up immediately, but a sensible person doesn't react to an insult."
When someone insults you, you don't have to react instantly. Taking a breath before you respond is strength, not weakness.
"He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. "
"Someone who tells the truth shows they're righteous, but a false witness shows deceit."
Let your words always match the truth, especially when it costs you something to say them. Honesty is the visible proof of an honest heart.
"There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. "
"Some people's words cut like a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing."
Use your words to heal, not to wound. Before you speak, ask whether what you're about to say will build someone up or cut them down.
"The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. "
"A truthful statement stands the test of time, but a lie only lasts a moment."
Tell the truth even when it's harder in the moment, because only truth actually lasts. Lies are a short-term fix that always falls apart eventually.
"Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. "
"Deceit fills the hearts of those plotting harm, but joy fills those who work for peace."
Be a peacemaker, not a schemer. The joy that comes from helping people reconcile is worth more than any advantage you'd ever gain by manipulating a situation.
"There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. "
"No real harm comes to the righteous in the end, but the wicked end up full of trouble."
Living rightly doesn't mean nothing bad ever happens to you, but it does mean you're not building a life that manufactures its own disaster.
"Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. "
"God is disgusted by lying lips, but delighted by people who are truthful."
Truthfulness matters to me more than you might think. A life of honesty, even in small things, is something I genuinely delight in.
"A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. "
"A sensible person doesn't show off what they know, but fools blurt out their foolishness."
You don't need to prove how much you know. Real wisdom is often quiet, and knowing when to hold back is a skill worth deliberately developing.
"The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. "
"Hard workers end up in positions of leadership, but lazy people end up serving others."
Put real effort into your work and your life. Diligence isn't about impressing anyone - it's about becoming someone capable of carrying real responsibility.
"Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. "
"Worry weighs a person down, but a kind word lifts them back up."
Never underestimate the power of a kind word. When someone is weighed down, your encouragement might be exactly what lifts them back up.
"The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. "
"The righteous person guides their friend wisely, but the path of the wicked leads people astray."
Think about the influence you have on the people around you. Are you helping guide them towards good, or, even without meaning to, leading them astray?
"The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. "
"A lazy person won't even cook the game they've already caught, but a hard worker's possessions are valuable."
Finish what you start. Don't let good opportunities rot away just because you couldn't be bothered to follow through.
"In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death. "
"The path of righteousness leads to life; walking that road, there's no death to fear."
I am the way, and it leads to real life, not a dead end. Walk it and you'll find it's not restriction but freedom - not death but life lived to the full.