The Virtuous Wife and Honest Speech
Proverbs 12
The proverbs continue contrasting the righteous and the wicked in speech, work, and family life, praising a virtuous wife as a crown to her husband and warning that a bad wife brings ruin like rot in wood. Several sayings commend honest, healing speech and a righteous man's compassion even for his livestock, while warning that the houses of the wicked will not remain standing.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonHE who loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he who hateth reproofs is a fool.
BrentonHe that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates reproofs is a fool.
GreekὉ ἀγαπῶν παιδείαν, ἀγαπᾷ αἴσθησιν· ὁ δὲ μισῶν ἐλέγχους, ἄφρων.
KJV—
JPS—
2
ThomsonHe who hath found favour with the Lord groweth better; but the transgressor shall be put to silence.
BrentonHe that has found favour with the Lord is made better; but a transgressor shall be passed over in silence.
GreekΚρείσσων ὁ εὑρὼν χάριν παρὰ Κυρίῳ, ἀνὴρ δὲ παράνομος παρασιωπηθήσεται.
KJV—
JPS—
3
ThomsonA man cannot prosper by wickedness: but the roots of the righteous shall not be moved.
BrentonA man shall not prosper by wickedness; but the roots of the righteous shall not be taken up.
GreekΟὐ κατορθώσει ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἀνόμου, αἱ δὲ ῥίζαι τῶν δικαίων οὐκ ἐξαρθήσονται.
KJVA man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
JPSA man shall not be established by wickedness; But the root of the righteous shall never be moved.
4
ThomsonA virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but a mischievous woman, like a worm in wood, ruineth her husband.
BrentonA virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.
GreekΓυνὴ ἀνδρεία στέφανος τῷ ἀνδρὶ αὐτῆς· ὥσπερ δὲ ἐν ξύλῳ σκώληξ, οὕτως ἄνδρα ἀπόλλυσι γυνὴ κακοποιός.
KJVA virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
JPSA virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; But she that doeth shamefully is as rottenness in his bones.
5
ThomsonThe thoughts of the righteous are judgments: but the wicked manage deceits.
BrentonThe thoughts of the righteous are true judgments; but ungodly men devise deceits.
GreekΛογισμοὶ δικαίων κρίματα, κυβερνῶσι δὲ ἀσεβεῖς δόλους.
KJVThe thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
JPSThe thoughts of the righteous are right; But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6
ThomsonThe words of the wicked are deceitful: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
BrentonThe words of ungodly men are crafty; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
GreekΛόγοι ἀσεβῶν δόλιοι, στόμα δὲ ὀρθῶν ῥύσεται αὐτούς.
KJVThe words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
JPSThe words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood; But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. .
7
ThomsonWhen the wicked is overthrown, he vanisheth: but the houses of the righteous shall remain.
BrentonWhen the ungodly is overthrown, he vanishes away; but the houses of the just remain.
GreekΟὗ ἐὰν στραφῇ ὁ ἀσεβὴς, ἀφανίζεται, οἶκοι δὲ δικαίων παραμένουσι·
KJV—
JPS—
8
ThomsonThe mouth of the wise is praised by man: but the stupid heart is despised.
BrentonThe mouth of an understanding man is praised by a man; but he that is dull of heart is had in derision.
GreekΣτόμα συνετοῦ ἐγκωμιάζεται ὑπὸ ἀνδρὸς, νωθροκάρδιος δὲ μυκτηρίζεται.
KJV—
JPS—
9
ThomsonBetter is the man, who unhonoured serveth himself: than he who honoureth himself and wanteth bread.
BrentonBetter is a man in dishonour serving himself, than one honouring himself and wanting bread.
GreekΚρείσσων ἀνὴρ ἐν ἀτιμίᾳ δουλεύων ἑαυτῷ, ἢ τιμὴν ἑαυτῷ περιτιθεὶς καὶ προσδεόμενος ἄρτου.
KJVHe that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
JPSBetter is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that playeth the man of rank, and lacketh bread.
10
ThomsonA righteous man regardeth the lives of his beasts: but the mercies of the wicked are cruel.
BrentonA righteous man has pity for the lives of his cattle; but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful.
GreekΔίκαιος οἰκτείρει ψυχὰς κτηνῶν αὐτοῦ, τὰ δὲ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἀσεβῶν ἀνελεήμονα.
KJVA righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
JPSA righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11
ThomsonHe who tilleth his own ground shall be satisfied with bread: but they who pursue vanities are void of understanding. He who taketh pleasure in taverns shall leave disgrace in his own fortresses.
BrentonHe that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread; but they that pursue vanities are void of understanding.
GreekὉ ἐργαζόμενος τὴν ἑαυτοῦ γῆν, ἐμπλησθήσεται ἄρτων, οἱ δὲ διώκοντες μάταια, ἐνδεεῖς φρενῶν·
KJVHe that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
JPSHe that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain things is void of understanding.
11a
Thomson—
BrentonHe that enjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall leave dishonour in his own strong holds.
Greekὅς ἐστιν ἡδὺς ἐν οἴνων διατριβαῖς, ἐν τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ ὀχυρώμασι καταλείψει ἀτιμίαν.
KJV—
JPS—
12
ThomsonThe desires of the wicked are evil: but the roots of the righteous are in secure places.
BrentonThe desires of the ungodly are evil; but the roots of the godly are firmly set.
GreekἘπιθυμίαι ἀσεβῶν κακαὶ, αἱ δὲ ῥίζαι τῶν εὐσεβῶν ἐν ὀχυρώμασι.
KJV—
JPS—
13
Thomson—
BrentonFor the sin of his lips a sinner falls into snares; but a righteous man escapes from them.
GreekΔιʼ ἁμαρτίαν χειλέων ἐμπίπτει εἰς παγίδας ἁμαρτωλὸς, ἐκφεύγει δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν δίκαιος·
KJV—
JPSIn the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man; But the righteous cometh out of trouble.
13a
ThomsonBy the transgression of his lips a sinner falleth into snares: but out of them a righteous man maketh his escape. He whose looks are mild will gain compassion: but he who contendeth in the gates will afflict souls.
BrentonHe whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, but he that contends in the gates will afflict souls.
Greekὁ βλέπων λεῖα ἐλεηθήσεται, ὁ δὲ συναντῶν ἐν πύλαις ἐκθλίψει ψυχάς.
KJV—
JPS—
14
ThomsonFrom the fruits of his mouth the soul of man shall be satisfied with good things; and the recompence of his lips shall be given him.
BrentonThe soul of a man shall be filled with good from the fruits of his mouth; and the recompence of his lips shall be given to him.
GreekἈπὸ καρπῶν στόματος ψυχὴ ἀνδρὸς πλησθήσεται ἀγαθῶν, ἀνταπόδομα δὲ χειλέων αὐτοῦ δοθήσεται αὐτῷ.
KJVA 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.
JPSA 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
ThomsonThe ways of fools are right in their own eyes: but a wise man hearkeneth to advice.
BrentonThe ways of fools are right in their own eyes; but a wise man hearkens to counsels.
GreekὉδοὶ ἀφρόνων ὀρθαὶ ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν, εἰσακούει δὲ συμβουλίας σοφός.
KJVThe way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
JPSThe way of a fool is straight in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16
ThomsonA fool presently sheweth his wrath: but a prudent man concealeth his dishonour.
BrentonA fool declares his wrath the same day; but a prudent man hides his own disgrace.
GreekἌφρων αὐθημερὸν ἐξαγγέλλει ὀργὴν αὐτοῦ, κρύπτει δὲ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἀτιμίαν ἀνὴρ πανοῦργος.
KJVA fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
JPSA fool’s vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.
17
ThomsonA righteous man declareth the truth as it appeareth to him: but a false witness is deceitful.
BrentonA righteous man declares the open truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.
GreekἘπιδεικνυμένην πίστιν ἀπαγγέλλει δίκαιος, ὁ δὲ μάρτυς τῶν ἀδίκων δόλιος.
KJV—
JPS—
18
ThomsonSome wound with their speech like swords: but the tongues of the wise are healing.
BrentonSome wound as they speak, like swords; but the tongues of the wise heal.
GreekΕἰσὶν οἳ λέγοντες τιτρώσκουσι, μάχαιραι· γλῶσσαι δὲ σοφῶν ἰῶνται.
KJV—
JPS—
19
ThomsonTrue lips establish testimony: but a hasty witness hath an unrighteous tongue.
BrentonTrue lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.
GreekΧείλη ἀληθινὰ κατορθοῖ μαρτυρίαν, μάρτυς δὲ ταχὺς γλῶσσαν ἔχει ἄδικον.
KJV—
JPS—
20
ThomsonDeceit is in the heart of him, who contriveth evils: but the counsellors of peace shall have joy.
BrentonThere is deceit in the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that love peace shall rejoice.
GreekΔόλος ἐν καρδίᾳ τεκταινομένου κακὰ, οἱ δὲ βουλόμενοι εἰρήνην εὐφρανθήσονται.
KJVDeceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
JPSDeceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; But to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21
ThomsonNothing unjust can please a righteous man: but the wicked can fill themselves with mischief.
BrentonNo injustice will please a just man; but the ungodly will be filled with mischief.
GreekΟὐκ ἀρέσει τῷ δικαίῳ οὐδὲν ἄδικον, οἱ δὲ ἀσεβεῖς πλησθήσονται κακῶν.
KJVThere shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
JPS—
22
ThomsonLying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but he who dealeth faithfully is acceptable to Him.
BrentonLying lips are an abomination to the Lord; but he that deals faithfully is accepted with him.
GreekΒδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ χείλη ψευδῆ, ὁ δὲ ποιῶν πίστεις δεκτὸς παρʼ αὐτῷ.
KJVLying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
JPSLying lips are an abomination to the LORD; But they that deal truly are His delight. .
23
ThomsonA prudent man is a throne of knowledge: but the heart of fools will encounter curses.
BrentonAn understanding man is a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.
GreekἈνὴρ συνετὸς θρόνος αἰσθήσεως, καρδία δὲ ἀφρόνων συναντήσεται ἀραῖς.
KJVA prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
JPSA prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24
ThomsonThe hand of the valiant can easily conquer: but the deceitful shall be for a prey.
BrentonThe hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule; but the deceitful shall be for a prey.
GreekΧεὶρ ἐκλεκτῶν κρατήσει εὐχερῶς, δόλιοι δὲ ἔσονται ἐν προνομῇ.
KJV—
JPS—
25
ThomsonAwful news trouble the heart of a righteous man: but good news make him glad.
BrentonA terrible word troubles the heart of a righteous man; but a good message rejoices him.
GreekΦοβερὸς λόγος καρδίαν ταράσσει ἀνδρὸς δικαίου, ἀγγελία δὲ ἀγαθὴ εὐφραίνει αὐτόν.
KJVHeaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
JPSCare in the heart of a man boweth it down; But a good word maketh it glad.
26
ThomsonA righteous judge will be a friend to himself: but evils shall pursue sinners, and the way of the wicked shall deceive them.
BrentonA just arbitrator shall be his own friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray.
GreekἘπιγνώμων δίκαιος ἑαυτοῦ φίλος ἔσται, ἁμαρτάνοντας δὲ καταδιώξεται κακὰ, ἡ δὲ ὁδὸς τῶν ἀσεβῶν πλανήσει αὐτούς.
KJV—
JPSThe righteous is guided by his friend; But the way of the wicked leadeth them astray.
27
ThomsonA deceitful man shall not enjoy what he hath caught; but as for a pure man, his acquisition is precious.
BrentonA deceitful man shall catch no game; but a blameless man is a precious possession.
GreekΟὐκ ἐπιτεύξεται δόλιος θήρας, κτῆμα δὲ τίμιον ἀνὴρ καθαρός.
KJV—
JPS—
28
ThomsonIn the ways of righteousness there is life; but the ways of the revengeful lead to death.
BrentonIn the ways of righteousness is life; but the ways of those that remember injuries lead to death.
GreekἘν ὁδοῖς δικαιοσύνης ζωὴ, ὁδοὶ δὲ μνησικάκων εἰς θάνατον.
KJVIn the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
JPSIn the way of righteousness is life, And in the pathway thereof there is no death.