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Proverbs 10:12-18 - Compare All Versions

Proverbs 10:12-18 NIV (New International Version)

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense. The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor. The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death. Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.

Proverbs 10:12-18 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin. Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.

Proverbs 10:12-18 NLT (New Living Translation)

Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses. Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod. Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster. The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their destruction. The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin. People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray. Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool.

Proverbs 10:12-18 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.  Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.  The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.  The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;  the poverty of the poor is their destruction. The reward of the righteous is life; the wages of the wicked is punishment.  The one who follows instruction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray.  The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Proverbs 10:12-18 KJV (King James Version)

Hatred stirreth up strifes: But love covereth all sins. In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: But a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. Wise men lay up knowledge: But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. The rich man's wealth is his strong city: The destruction of the poor is their poverty. The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: The fruit of the wicked to sin. He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: But he that refuseth reproof erreth. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, And he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Proverbs 10:12-18 NKJV (New King James Version)

Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty. The labor of the righteous leads to life, The wages of the wicked to sin. He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Proverbs 10:12-18 MSG (The Message)

Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering. You’ll find wisdom on the lips of a person of insight, but the shortsighted needs a slap in the face. The wise accumulate knowledge—a true treasure; know-it-alls talk too much—a sheer waste. The wealth of the rich is their security; the poverty of the indigent is their ruin. The wage of a good person is exuberant life; an evil person ends up with nothing but sin. The road to life is a disciplined life; ignore correction and you’re lost for good. Liars secretly hoard hatred; fools openly spread slander.

Proverbs 10:12-18 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)

Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all offenses. On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, But a rod is for the back of him who has no sense. Wise people store up knowledge, But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand. The rich person’s wealth is his fortress, The ruin of the poor is their poverty. The wages of the righteous is life, The income of the wicked, punishment. One who is on the path of life follows instruction, But one who ignores a rebuke goes astray. One who conceals hatred has lying lips, And one who spreads slander is a fool.

Proverbs 10:12-18 AMP (Amplified Bible)

Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers and overwhelms all transgressions [forgiving and overlooking another’s faults]. On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found, But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding. Wise men store up and treasure knowledge [in mind and heart], But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand. The rich man’s wealth is his fortress; The ruin of the poor is their poverty. [Ps 52:7; 1 Tim 6:17] The wages of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God] is [a worthwhile, meaningful] life, The income of the wicked, punishment. [Rom 6:21-23; 1 Tim 6:10] He who learns from instruction and correction is on the [right] path of life [and for others his example is a path toward wisdom and blessing], But he who ignores and refuses correction goes off course [and for others his example is a path toward sin and ruin]. He who hides hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool. [Prov 26:24-26]

Proverbs 10:12-18 NET (New English Translation)

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions. Wisdom is found in the words of the discerning person, but the one who lacks wisdom will be disciplined. Those who are wise store up knowledge, but foolish speech leads to imminent destruction. The wealth of a rich person is like a fortified city, but the poor are brought to ruin by their poverty. The reward which the righteous receive is life; the recompense which the wicked receive is judgment. The one who heeds instruction is on the way to life, but the one who rejects rebuke goes astray. The one who conceals hatred utters lies, and the one who spreads slander is certainly a fool.