Proverbs 12:13-28 - Compare All Versions

Proverbs 12:13-28 NIV (New International Version)

Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble. From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies. The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly. Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.

Proverbs 12:13-28 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)

An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.

Proverbs 12:13-28 NLT (New Living Translation)

The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble. Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies. Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace! No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness. Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray. Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find. The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death.

Proverbs 12:13-28 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

By rebellious speech an evil person is trapped,  but a righteous person escapes from trouble.  A person will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,  and the work of a person’s hands will reward him.  A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,  but whoever listens to counsel is wise. A fool’s displeasure is known at once, but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.  Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.  There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword;  but the tongue of the wise brings healing.  Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment.  Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.  No disaster overcomes the righteous,  but the wicked are full of misery. Lying lips are detestable to the  LORD,  but faithful people are his delight.  A shrewd person conceals knowledge, but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.  The diligent hand will rule, but laziness will lead to forced labor.  Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.  A righteous person is careful in dealing with his neighbor,  but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.  A lazy hunter doesn’t roast his game,  but to a diligent person, his wealth is precious.  There is life in the path of righteousness, and in its path there is no death. 

Proverbs 12:13-28 KJV (King James Version)

The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: But the just shall come out of trouble. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: And the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: But he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. A fool's wrath is presently known: But a prudent man covereth shame. He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: But a false witness deceit. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: But the tongue of the wise is health. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: But a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: But to the counsellors of peace is joy. There shall no evil happen to the just: But the wicked shall be filled with mischief. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: But they that deal truly are his delight. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: But the slothful shall be under tribute. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: But a good word maketh it glad. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: But the way of the wicked seduceth them. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: But the substance of a diligent man is precious. In the way of righteousness is life; And in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Proverbs 12:13-28 NKJV (New King James Version)

The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble. A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame. He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit. There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession. In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.

Proverbs 12:13-28 MSG (The Message)

The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it. Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward. Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice. Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly shrug off insults. Truthful witness by a good person clears the air, but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit. Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise. Truth lasts; lies are here today, gone tomorrow. Evil scheming distorts the schemer; peace-planning brings joy to the planner. No evil can overwhelm a good person, but the wicked have their hands full of it. God can’t stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word. Prudent people don’t flaunt their knowledge; talkative fools broadcast their silliness. The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work. Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up. A good person survives misfortune, but a wicked life invites disaster. A lazy life is an empty life, but “early to rise” gets the job done. Good men and women travel right into life; sin’s detours take you straight to hell.

Proverbs 12:13-28 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)

An evil person is ensnared by the offense of his lips, But the righteous will escape from trouble. A person will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a person’s hands will return to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a person who listens to advice is wise. A fool’s anger is known at once, But a prudent person conceals dishonor. One who declares truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit. There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips will endure forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. No harm happens to the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight. A prudent person conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy hand will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. The righteous person is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray. A lazy person does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a person is diligence. In the way of righteousness there is life, And in its pathway there is no death.

Proverbs 12:13-28 AMP (Amplified Bible)

An evil man is [dangerously] ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will escape from trouble. A man will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him [as a harvest]. The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes, But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel. [Prov 3:7; 9:9; 21:2] The [arrogant] fool’s anger is quickly known [because he lacks self-control and common sense], But a prudent man ignores an insult. He who speaks truth [when he testifies] tells what is right, But a false witness utters deceit [in court]. There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is [credited] only for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. No harm befalls the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble. [Job 5:19; Ps 91:3; Prov 12:13; Is 46:4; Jer 1:8; Dan 6:27; 2 Tim 4:18] Lying lips are extremely disgusting to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight. [Prov 6:17; 11:20; Rev 22:15] A shrewd man is reluctant to display his knowledge [until the proper time], But the heart of [over-confident] fools proclaims foolishness. [Is 32:6] The hand of the diligent will rule, But the negligent and lazy will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good (encouraging) word makes it glad. [Is 50:4; Prov 15:13] The righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray. The lazy man does not catch and roast his prey, But the precious possession of a [wise] man is diligence [because he recognizes opportunities and seizes them]. In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death [but immortality—eternal life]. [John 3:36; 4:36; 8:51; 11:26; 1 Cor 15:54; Gal 6:8]

Proverbs 12:13-28 NET (New English Translation)

The evil person is ensnared by the transgression of his speech, but the righteous person escapes out of trouble. A person will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words, and the work of his hands will be rendered to him. The way of a fool is right in his own opinion, but the one who listens to advice is wise. A fool’s annoyance is known at once, but the prudent overlooks an insult. The faithful witness tells what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing. The one who tells the truth will endure forever, but the one who lies will last only for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. The righteous do not encounter any harm, but the wicked are filled with calamity. The LORD abhors a person who lies, but those who deal truthfully are his delight. The shrewd person conceals knowledge, but foolish people publicize folly. The diligent person will rule, but the slothful will become a slave. Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down, but an encouraging word brings him joy. The righteous person is cautious in his friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. The lazy person does not roast his prey, but personal possessions are precious to the diligent. In the path of righteousness there is life, but another path leads to death.