Proverbs 12NKJV
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Proverbs12

New King James Version

1Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.

2A good man obtains favor from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

3A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.

4An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

5The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

6The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

7The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.

8A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

9Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

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

11He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

12The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

13The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.

14A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.

15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

16A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame.

17He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.

18There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

19The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.

21No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

22Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

23A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

24The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

25Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

26The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.

28In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 12.

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v1

Those who have grace, will delight in the instructions given them. Those that stifle their convictions, are like brutes.

v2

The man who covers selfish and vicious designs under a profession of religion or friendship, will be condemned.

v3

Though men may advance themselves by sinful arts, they cannot settle and secure themselves. But those who by faith are rooted in Christ, are firmly fixed.

Cross References

Proverbs 12
v7Matthew 7:24-27thematic

Jesus' parable of the house built on the rock or sand parallel to the house of the righteous standing.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v10Deuteronomy 25:4thematic

Mosaic law protecting laboring beasts, reflecting the righteous man's care for his animal's life.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v21Psalms 91:10thematic

The promise that no plague or evil shall befall the dwell of the righteous under God's protection.

Supported by JFB

v1Proverbs 10:17thematic

Parallel proverb linking instruction with life, and the refusal of reproof with error.

Supported by JFB

v3Jeremiah 17:8allusion

The righteous depicted as a deeply rooted, unmovable tree by the water.

Supported by JFB

Detailed portrait of the virtuous woman who is a crown to her husband.

Supported by JFB

v24Proverbs 10:4thematic

Contrast between the hand of the diligent making rich and the slack hand leading to poverty.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v3Psalms 1:3allusion

The unmovable root of the righteous compared to a tree planted by rivers of water.

Supported by JFB

v3Psalms 15:5thematic

The security of the righteous who shall never be moved.

Supported by JFB

v9Proverbs 13:7thematic

Contrast of those making themselves rich but having nothing versus those seemingly poor.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v11Proverbs 13:23thematic

Tillage and food contrasted with waste through want of judgment.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v21Romans 8:28thematic

New Testament fulfillment showing all things work together for good to the just.

Supported by JFB

v13Proverbs 21:23thematic

Keeping the mouth and tongue to keep the soul out of troubles.

Supported by JFB

v16James 1:19thematic

Being swift to hear and slow to wrath, matching the prudent man covering shame.

Supported by JFB

v27Proverbs 12:24thematic

Diligence as a precious substance, contrasted with laziness in the same chapter.

Supported by JFB