American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Proverbs 12
2
A good man obtains favor of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
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
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
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 virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
Reference
6
The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
Reference
7
The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
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
8
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
Reference
9
He that is despised, and has a servant, is better than he that honors himself, and lacks bread.
Reference
10
A righteous man regards the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Reference
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 25:4
11
He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows vain persons is void of understanding.
Reference
13
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of 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
14
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered to him.
Reference
16
A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covers shame.
Reference
Judgment
James 1:19
Parallel theme
Proverbs 29:11
Proverbs 10:12
Proverbs 17:9
Proverbs 16:22
Proverbs 25:28
18
There is that speaks like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
Reference
19
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Reference
20
Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
Reference
21
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
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
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
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
25
Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad.
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
The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduces them.
Reference
27
The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 13:4
28
In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
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
Summary of Proverbs 12
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.