Read in context

Proverbs 12 — King James Version

Explore all 66 books in five translations. Choose a verse number to link directly to it.

Proverbs 12 KJV

1Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.

2A good [man] obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

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

4A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.

5The thoughts of the righteous [are] right: [but] the counsels of the wicked [are] deceit.

6The words of the wicked [are] to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7The wicked are overthrown, and [are] not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9[He that is] despised, and hath a servant, [is] better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

10A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.

11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of understanding.

12The wicked desireth the net of evil [men:] but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].

13The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

14A 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.

15The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise.

16A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent [man] covereth shame.

17[He that] speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health.

19The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue [is] but for a moment.

20Deceit [is] in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace [is] joy.

21There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

22Lying lips [are] abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly [are] his delight.

23A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

25Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

26The righteous [is] more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

27The slothful [man] roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man [is] precious.

28In the way of righteousness [is] life; and [in] the pathway [thereof there is] no death.

Explore Proverbs

Proverbs overview and timeline

All 31 chapters

King James Version. Text supplied by eBible.org. Edition and reuse notice.

Public domain outside the United Kingdom. UK printing rights are reserved under royal letters patent.

Study quotations retain their original wording and editions. This reader uses the source editions linked above; punctuation and revisions may differ. Full-book browsing requires internet access.