Proverbs · 28 verses
Proverbs 12
Every verse links to the people and places named in it, and to the passages readers connect it with.
The chapter
What happens here
Atlas's own reading, written from this chapter and nothing else, and published only once a person has approved it. Each scene names the verses it covers; the names inside it link to the people and places they name.
A lazy man may obtain game and still fail to roast it, while the diligent man prizes what he possesses—a wonderfully exact domestic tragedy, with dinner apparently waiting on the spit.
What stands, and what merely looks importantvv. 1–9
The chapter opens by tying love of discipline to knowledge and setting the righteous against the wicked: one is established and rooted, the other condemned and overthrown. A noble wife is a crown; a shameful one is decay in the bones, which is a rather alarming place for domestic disappointment to settle. Then comes the splendid reversal of status: being lightly esteemed is better than being self-important, provided there is a servant and some food. Wisdom, not appearance, gets the final word in this opening movement.
The mouth is a dangerous little roomvv. 10–19
The sayings turn to work and speech. The righteous man regards his animal, while the wicked person's apparent tenderness is cruelty in disguise. Land worked patiently yields food; fantasies yield no judgment. Then speech begins its parade: rebellious words trap their speaker, fruitful words return good things, rash words pierce like a sword, and wise words heal. Truthful lips are given the longest lease of all, while the lying tongue is allowed only a moment.
The heart, the hand, and the roadvv. 20–28
Deceit begins in the hearts of those who devise evil, whereas counselors of peace have joy. Anxiety weighs down the heart and a good word cheers it; a prudent man can even overlook an insult. The hand of the diligent rules, laziness ends in forced labor, and the chapter returns to its curious unroasted game: possession is not the same thing as use. At the end stand two paths, one containing life and the other death, with no scenic detour offered between them.
The text
Read it
Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Names the Hebrew and Greek put in the verse link to the person, place or people they name; the address beside each verse is a link to that verse, which is what a reader copies and shares.
Prov 12:1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
Prov 12:2The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.
Prov 12:3A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
Prov 12:4A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.
Prov 12:5The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.
Prov 12:6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
Prov 12:7The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.
Prov 12:8A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.
Prov 12:9Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.
Prov 12:10A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
Prov 12:11The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
Prov 12:12The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
Prov 12:13An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
Prov 12:14By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him.
Prov 12:15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.
Prov 12:16A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Prov 12:17He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
Prov 12:18Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Prov 12:19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Prov 12:20Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.
Prov 12:21No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
Prov 12:22Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.
Prov 12:23A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
Prov 12:24The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
Prov 12:25Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
Prov 12:26A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.
Prov 12:27A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.
Prov 12:28There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.
02 — Read alongside
Where this is echoed
Readers' own connections, from OpenBible's crowd-voted cross-references — agreement about relevance, and not scholarly confidence. 330 passages were voted onto 28 verses of this chapter; the 16 shown lead on votes, and each is listed at the verse it was voted onto most strongly.
- 25Proverbs 16:24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
- 25Proverbs 15:13A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
- 25Proverbs 17:22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
- 1Proverbs 15:10Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
- 25Isaiah 50:4The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.
- 25Proverbs 15:23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!
- 1Proverbs 9:7–8He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
- 18Proverbs 15:4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
- 1Psalms 119:97–100Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation.
- 10Deuteronomy 25:4Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.
- 22Psalms 5:6You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
- 4Proverbs 31:10–25A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
- 11Proverbs 28:19The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
- 15Proverbs 3:7Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
- 16Proverbs 29:11A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
- 22Proverbs 11:20The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.
Onward