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Proverbs 12:8–9

A man is commended according to his good sense,

but one of twisted mind is ndespised.

Better to be lowly and have a servant

than to play the great man and lack bread.

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Proverbs 12:8–9 — The New International Version (NIV)

A person is praised according to their prudence,

and one with a warped mind is despised.

Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant

than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

Proverbs 12:8–9 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom:

But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better

Than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

Proverbs 12:8–9 — New Living Translation (NLT)

A sensible person wins admiration,

but a warped mind is despised.

Better to be an ordinary person with a servant

than to be self-important but have no food.

Proverbs 12:8–9 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

A man will be commended according to his wisdom,

But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant,

Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

Proverbs 12:8–9 — New Century Version (NCV)

The wisdom of the wise wins praise,

but there is no respect for the stupid.

A person who is not important but has a servant is better off

than someone who acts important but has no food.

Proverbs 12:8–9 — American Standard Version (ASV)

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom;

But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant,

Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.

Proverbs 12:8–9 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

A man is commended according to his wisdom; but he that is of a perverted heart shall be despised.

Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

Proverbs 12:8–9 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

A person will be praised based on his insight, 

but whoever has a twisted mind will be despised. 

Better to be unimportant and have a slave 

than to act important and have nothing to eat. 

Proverbs 12:8–9 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

A man is praised for his insight,

but a twisted mind is despised.

Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,

than to act important but have no food.

Proverbs 12:8–9 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

One is commended for good sense,

but a perverse mind is despised.

Better to be despised and have a servant,

than to be self-important and lack food.

Proverbs 12:8–9 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

For his mouth of good sense, a man will be recommended,

but he who is of perverse mind will be despised.

It is better to be lowly and a servant to someone

than self-glorifying and lacking food.

Proverbs 12:8–9 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

A man is praised for how wise he is.

But people hate those who have twisted minds.

Being nobody and having a servant

is better than pretending to be somebody and having no food.

Proverbs 12:8–9 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

A man will be praised according to his insight,

But one of perverse mind will be despised.

Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant

Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.


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