Berean Standard Bible
Proverbs 11:12
12Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
Proverbs 11:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
- New International Version (NIV)Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace.
Context of Proverbs 11:12
10When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. 11By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent. 13A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. 14For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
Read all of Proverbs 11Proverbs 11:12 word by word
בָּז־לְרֵעֵ֥הוּ חֲסַר־לֵ֑ב וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּבוּנ֣וֹת יַחֲרִֽישׁ׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Proverbs 11:12
- Judges 9:27And after they had gone out into the fields, gathered grapes from their vineyards, and trodden them, they held a festival and went into the house of their god; and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech.
- Nehemiah 4:2before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?”
- Psalms 123:3Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy, for we have endured much contempt.
- Luke 16:14The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.
- Luke 18:9To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable:
- John 7:48“Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in Him?
- Proverbs 10:19When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
- 1 Samuel 10:27But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.
- 2 Kings 18:36But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, “Do not answer him.”
- 1 Peter 2:23When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.
Commentaries on Proverbs 11:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12He that is void of wisdom - A foolish man is generally abundant in his censures; he dwells on the defects of his neighbor, and is sure to bring them into the most prominent view. But a man of understanding - a prudent, sensible man, hides those defects wherever he can, and puts the most charitable construction on those which he cannot conceal.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12None but the man “void of wisdom” will show contempt for those about him. The wise man, if he cannot admire or praise, will at least know how to be silent.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12Verse 12 A man of understanding does not judge of others by their success.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. despiseth--or, "reviles," a course contrasted with the prudent silence of the wise. holdeth his peace--as if neither hearing nor telling.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 11:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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