Proverbs 18:12–15

12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,

but humility comes before honor.

13 To answer before listening—

that is folly and shame.

14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,

but a crushed spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,

for the ears of the wise seek it out.

12 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,

but humility comes before honor.

13 If one gives an answer before he hears,

it is his folly and shame.

14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness,

but a crushed spirit who can bear?

15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,

And before honour is humility.

13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it,

It is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;

But a wounded spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;

And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

12 Haughtiness goes before destruction;

humility precedes honor.

13 Spouting off before listening to the facts

is both shameful and foolish.

14 The human spirit can endure a sick body,

but who can bear a crushed spirit?

15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn.

Their ears are open for knowledge.

12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,

And before honor is humility.

13 He who answers a matter before he hears it,

It is folly and shame to him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,

But who can bear a broken spirit?

15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,

And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty;

And before honor goeth humility.

13 He that giveth answer before he heareth,

It is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;

But a broken spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;

And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour goeth humility.

13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of an intelligent man getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

12 Before destruction a person’s heart is arrogant, 

but humility comes before honor. 

13 Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful. 

14 A person’s spirit can endure sickness, 

but who can bear a broken spirit? 

15 The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge. 

The ears of wise people seek knowledge. 

12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,

but humility comes before honor.

13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—

this is foolishness and disgrace for him.

14 A man’s spirit can endure sickness,

but who can survive a broken spirit?

15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks it.

12 Before destruction one’s heart is haughty,

but humility goes before honor.

13 If one gives answer before hearing,

it is folly and shame.

14 The human spirit will endure sickness,

but a broken spirit—who can bear?

15 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

12 In the presence of destruction, the heart of a man will be haughty,

but in the presence of honor, humble.

13 He who returns a word before he will hear,

folly itself belongs to him as well as shame.

14 The spirit of a man will endure his sickness,

but a broken spirit, who may bear it?

15 An intelligent mind will acquire knowledge,

and the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.

12 If a man’s heart is proud, he will be destroyed.

So don’t be proud if you want to be honored.

13 To answer before listening

is foolish and shameful.

14 A man’s cheerful heart gives him strength when he is sick.

You can’t keep going if you have a broken spirit.

15 Those whose hearts understand what is right get knowledge.

The ears of those who are wise listen for it.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,

But humility goes before honor.

13 He who gives an answer before he hears,

It is folly and shame to him.

14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,

But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?

15 The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge,

And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.