Proverbs 12:9–16

9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant

than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,

but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,

but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,

but the root of the righteous endures.

13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,

and so the innocent escape trouble.

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,

and the work of their hands brings them reward.

15 The way of fools seems right to them,

but the wise listen to advice.

16 Fools show their annoyance at once,

but the prudent overlook an insult.

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

Than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast:

But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread:

But he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men:

But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips:

But the just shall come out of trouble.

14 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.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes:

But he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s wrath is presently known:

But a prudent man covereth shame.

9 Better to be an ordinary person with a servant

than to be self-important but have no food.

10 The godly care for their animals,

but the wicked are always cruel.

11 A hard worker has plenty of food,

but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.

12 Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,

but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.

13 The wicked are trapped by their own words,

but the godly escape such trouble.

14 Wise words bring many benefits,

and hard work brings rewards.

15 Fools think their own way is right,

but the wise listen to others.

16 A fool is quick-tempered,

but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

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

Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal,

But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,

But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men,

But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,

But the righteous will come through trouble.

14 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.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

But he who heeds counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s wrath is known at once,

But a prudent man covers shame.

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

than someone who acts important but has no food.

10 Good people take care of their animals,

but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 Those who work their land will have plenty of food,

but the one who chases empty dreams is not wise.

12 The wicked want what other evil people have stolen,

but good people want to give what they have to others.

13 Evil people are trapped by their evil talk,

but good people stay out of trouble.

14 People will be rewarded for what they say,

and they will also be rewarded for what they do.

15 Fools think they are doing right,

but the wise listen to advice.

16 Fools quickly show that they are upset,

but the wise ignore insults.

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

Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.

10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast;

But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread;

But he that followeth after vain persons is void of understanding.

12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men;

But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13 In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man;

But the righteous shall come out of trouble.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth;

And the doings of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes;

But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.

16 A fool’s vexation is presently known;

But a prudent man concealeth shame.

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

10 A righteous man is concerned for the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless is void of understanding.

12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men; but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13 In the transgression of the lips is an evil snare; but a righteous man shall go forth out of trouble.

14 A man is satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth; and the recompense of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.

16 The vexation of the fool is presently known; but a prudent man covereth shame.

9 Better to be unimportant and have a slave 

than to act important and have nothing to eat. 

10 A righteous person cares ⸤even⸥ about the life of his animals, 

but the compassion of wicked people is ⸤nothing but⸥ cruelty. 

11 Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat, 

but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense. 

12 A wicked person delights in setting a trap for ⸤other⸥ evil people, 

but the roots of righteous people produce ⸤fruit⸥. 

13 An evil person is trapped by his own sinful talk, 

but a righteous person escapes from trouble. 

14 One person enjoys good things as a result of his speaking ability. 

Another is paid according to what his hands have accomplished. 

15 A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one, 

but a person who listens to advice is wise. 

16 When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately, 

but a sensible person hides the insult. 

9 Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,

than to act important but have no food.

10 A righteous man cares about his animal’s health,

but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,

but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.

12 The wicked desire what evil men have,

but the root of the righteous produces fruit.

13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech,

but a righteous one escapes from trouble.

14 A man will be satisfied with good

by the words of his mouth,

and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.

15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,

but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,

but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.

9 Better to be despised and have produce

than to be self-important and lack food.

10 The righteous know the needs of their animals,

but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

11 Those who till their land will have plenty of food,

but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.

12 The wicked covet the proceeds of wickedness,

but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

13 The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,

but the righteous escape from trouble.

14 From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,

and manual labor has its reward.

15 Fools think their own way is right,

but the wise listen to advice.

16 Fools show their anger at once,

but the prudent ignore an insult.

9 It is better to be lowly and a servant to someone

than self-glorifying and lacking food.

10 The righteous knows the life of his animal,

but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

11 He who works his land will have plenty of food,

but he who follows worthless things lacks sense.

12 The wicked covets the proceeds of evil,

but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

13 By the transgression of lips, evil is ensnared,

but the righteous escapes from trouble.

14 From the fruit of the mouth of a man, he is filled with good,

and the reward of a man’s labor will return to him.

15 The way of a fool is upright in his own eyes,

but he who listens to advice is wise.

16 As for a fool, on that very day he makes his anger known,

but he who ignores an insult is prudent.

9 Being nobody and having a servant

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

10 Those who do what is right take good care of their animals.

But the kindest acts of those who do wrong are mean.

11 Anyone who farms his land will have plenty of food.

But a person who chases dreams has no sense.

12 Those who do what is wrong want to steal from others.

But those who do what is right bear good fruit because of their deep roots.

13 A sinner is trapped by his sinful talk.

But a godly person escapes trouble.

14 Many good things come from what a man says.

And the work of his hands rewards him.

15 The way of a foolish person seems right to him.

But a wise person listens to advice.

16 Foolish people are easily upset.

But wise people pay no attention to hurtful words.

9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant

Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.

10 A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal,

But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,

But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.

12 The wicked man desires the booty of evil men,

But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,

But the righteous will escape from trouble.

14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words,

And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

16 A fool’s anger is known at once,

But a prudent man conceals dishonor.