New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Proverbs 12
1
Anyone who loves to be trained loves knowledge. Anyone who hates to be corrected is stupid.
Reference
2
The Lord blesses anyone who does good. But he judges any man who is tricky.
Reference
Evil
Proverbs 6:18
Ecclesiastes 8:8
Good
Acts 11:24
Psalm 112:5
Romans 5:7
Parallel theme
Proverbs 1:31
Psalm 9:15
References Lord
Proverbs 8:35
3
If a man does what is evil, he can't become strong and steady. But if people do what is right, they can't be removed from the land.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ephesians 3:17
Colossians 2:7
Psalm 15:5
1 Samuel 25:33
Righteousness
Proverbs 10:25
Proverbs 12:12
4
A noble wife is her husband's crown. But a wife who brings shame is like sickness in his bones.
Reference
5
The plans of godly people are right. But the advice of sinners will lead you the wrong way.
Reference
6
The words of those who are evil hide and wait to spill people's blood. But the speech of those who are honest saves them from traps like that.
Reference
7
Sinners are destroyed and taken away. But the houses of godly people stand firm.
Reference
Evil
Job 11:20
Parallel theme
2 Samuel 7:26
2 Samuel 7:16
Esther 9:14
Righteousness
Proverbs 11:21
Proverbs 10:25
9
Being nobody and having a servant is better than pretending to be somebody and having no food.
Reference
10
Those who do what is right take good care of their animals. But the kindest acts of those who do wrong are mean.
Reference
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 25:4
11
Anyone who farms his land will have plenty of food. But a person who chases dreams has no sense.
Reference
12
Those who do what is wrong want to steal from others. But those who do what is right bear good fruit because of their deep roots.
Reference
13
A sinner is trapped by his sinful talk. But a godly person escapes trouble.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 21:23
Psalm 64:8
Proverbs 6:2
Daniel 6:24
Ecclesiastes 7:18
Proverbs 15:2
Righteousness
Proverbs 11:8
2 Peter 2:9
Psalm 34:19
Sin
Psalm 5:6
16
Foolish people are easily upset. But wise people pay no attention to hurtful words.
Reference
Judgment
James 1:19
Parallel theme
Proverbs 29:11
Proverbs 10:12
Proverbs 17:9
Proverbs 16:22
Proverbs 25:28
20
There are lies in the hearts of those who plan evil. But there is joy for those who work to bring peace.
Reference
21
No harm comes to godly people. But sinners have all the trouble they can handle.
Reference
Evil
Psalm 91:10
Parallel theme
1 Peter 3:13
Proverbs 1:31
Revelation 18:6
Romans 8:28
Proverbs 14:14
Habakkuk 2:16
22
The Lord hates those whose lips tell lies. But he is pleased with people who tell the truth.
Reference
Light
Proverbs 11:20
Jeremiah 9:24
Proverbs 11:1
Proverbs 15:8
Parallel theme
Revelation 22:15
Isaiah 9:15
Ezekiel 13:22
Ezekiel 13:19
References Lord
Psalm 5:6
23
Wise people keep their knowledge to themselves. But the hearts of foolish people shout foolish things.
Reference
25
Worry makes a man's heart heavy. But a kind word cheers him up.
Reference
Good
Proverbs 17:22
Parallel theme
Proverbs 15:13
Proverbs 27:9
Psalm 42:11
Proverbs 18:14
Word
Proverbs 16:24
Isaiah 50:4
Proverbs 15:23
Proverbs 12:18
Zechariah 1:13
26
Godly people are careful about the friends they choose. But the way of sinners leads them down the wrong path.
Reference
27
Anyone who refuses to work doesn't even cook what he catches. But a man who works hard values what he has.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 13:4
28
There is life in doing what is right. Along that path you will never die.
Reference
Parallel theme
3 John 1:11
Proverbs 8:35
Deuteronomy 30:15
Righteousness
Romans 5:21
Proverbs 11:19
Proverbs 10:16
1 John 3:7
1 John 2:29
Ezekiel 18:9
Chapter Summary
Proverbs 12 paints a detailed picture of what wisdom looks like when it enters everyday life. The chapter does not focus on extraordinary events. Instead, it looks at ordinary choices—how a person responds to criticism, earns money, speaks to others, handles anger, treats animals, chooses friends, and deals with responsibility.
It begins with a simple but important lesson: a wise person accepts correction. Someone who loves instruction can admit that he does not know everything and is willing to change. The foolish person does the opposite. He believes his own way is always right and therefore closes himself off from growth.
The chapter then turns toward character and integrity. Righteous people are described as having honest thoughts and trustworthy intentions. Wicked people may plan carefully, but their plans are built around deception and eventually become traps for themselves.
Work is another major theme. Proverbs praises the person who works productively and uses his opportunities well. Laziness, by contrast, wastes what could have produced something valuable. The message is practical: what we do with what we have matters.
The writer also gives unusual attention to compassion, even toward animals. A righteous person notices the needs of the creatures under his care. This small example reveals something larger: righteousness produces a heart that pays attention to the well-being of others.
The chapter also warns against quick anger. A foolish person immediately reacts when insulted, while a wise person knows when an offense is better ignored. Self-control prevents small conflicts from becoming large ones.
As the chapter progresses, the contrast becomes clearer. The righteous person is not necessarily someone who never experiences difficulty. Instead, righteousness gives him a direction and foundation that can survive difficulty.
The final verse captures the chapter's overall message: the way of righteousness leads toward life.
Proverbs 12 therefore presents wisdom as a complete way of living:
be teachable, work diligently, speak truthfully, control your anger, treat others with compassion, choose relationships carefully, use your opportunities wisely, and remain committed to what is right.
The chapter's central lesson is simple:
Wisdom is demonstrated through ordinary choices. A person's character is built day after day through the way he thinks, works, speaks, responds, and treats others. Those choices gradually shape the path of his life.
It begins with a simple but important lesson: a wise person accepts correction. Someone who loves instruction can admit that he does not know everything and is willing to change. The foolish person does the opposite. He believes his own way is always right and therefore closes himself off from growth.
The chapter then turns toward character and integrity. Righteous people are described as having honest thoughts and trustworthy intentions. Wicked people may plan carefully, but their plans are built around deception and eventually become traps for themselves.
Work is another major theme. Proverbs praises the person who works productively and uses his opportunities well. Laziness, by contrast, wastes what could have produced something valuable. The message is practical: what we do with what we have matters.
The writer also gives unusual attention to compassion, even toward animals. A righteous person notices the needs of the creatures under his care. This small example reveals something larger: righteousness produces a heart that pays attention to the well-being of others.
The chapter also warns against quick anger. A foolish person immediately reacts when insulted, while a wise person knows when an offense is better ignored. Self-control prevents small conflicts from becoming large ones.
As the chapter progresses, the contrast becomes clearer. The righteous person is not necessarily someone who never experiences difficulty. Instead, righteousness gives him a direction and foundation that can survive difficulty.
The final verse captures the chapter's overall message: the way of righteousness leads toward life.
Proverbs 12 therefore presents wisdom as a complete way of living:
be teachable, work diligently, speak truthfully, control your anger, treat others with compassion, choose relationships carefully, use your opportunities wisely, and remain committed to what is right.
The chapter's central lesson is simple:
Wisdom is demonstrated through ordinary choices. A person's character is built day after day through the way he thinks, works, speaks, responds, and treats others. Those choices gradually shape the path of his life.