Proverbs 12

1 Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

2 A good man shall obtain favor from the LORD, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.

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

4 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

6 The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

7 The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.

8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.

9 Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honors himself and lacks bread.

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

11 He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.

12 The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.

13 An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.

16 A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

17 He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.

18 There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.

19 Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.

21 No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who do the truth are his delight.

23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

24 The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.

25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.

26 A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.

28 In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.

Around Proverbs 12

Context

Context for this book is being written. A note appears here only once it names its sources.

AI explanation

About Proverbs as a whole · Written by an AI model · Not reviewed by a theological reader

This explanation was written by an AI model to help you get started. It names no sources and can contain mistakes. Scripture comes first, and context with sources is shown separately on this page.

What this book is about

Two voices call from the high places of a city, and both want the same passers-by. “Wisdom has built her house”, the ninth chapter says. She has set her table and sent out her maidens, and she calls the simple to leave their simple ways. Across the street, a loud and undisciplined woman, Folly, sits at her door and calls the very same crowd.

That picture captures the whole book. Proverbs gathers short sayings and longer poems about living wisely. Its starting point is that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” It contrasts the wise and the foolish in speech, work, money, friendship, marriage and the raising of children.

In the opening chapters wisdom is pictured as a woman calling out in the streets. The book ends with a poem in praise of a capable wife.

Background

Most of the sayings are linked with Solomon. Others are credited to Agur, to King Lemuel and to unnamed wise teachers, and one section was copied by officials of King Hezekiah about two centuries after Solomon (25:1). Similar collections of wisdom are known from Egypt and Mesopotamia.

How Christians read it

A proverb states what is generally true, not a guarantee for every case. Reading the sayings as promises leads to disappointment, and the books of Job and Ecclesiastes show the exceptions. The New Testament speaks of Christ as the wisdom of God, and many Christians read the figure of wisdom in chapter 8 in that light.

About this explanation

Written by Claude Sonnet 5.5, an AI model, on 19 October 2026. It draws on the WEB text and general knowledge and was not checked against sources by a person. Every quotation from Scripture is checked automatically against the WEB text.

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World English Bible. Public-domain source and edition notes