Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 11:12
12Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense, but a person with understanding keeps 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, a city rejoices; when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting. 11A city is built up by the blessing of the upright, but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked. Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense, but a person with understanding keeps silent. 13A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. 14Without guidance, a people will fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance.
Read all of Proverbs 11Proverbs 11:12 word by word
בָּז־לְרֵעֵ֥הוּ חֲסַר־לֵ֑ב וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּבוּנ֣וֹת יַחֲרִֽישׁ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 11:12
- Judges 9:27So they went out to the countryside and harvested grapes from their vineyards. They trampled the grapes and held a celebration. Then they went to the house of their god, and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech.
- Nehemiah 4:2before his colleagues and the powerful men of Samaria and said, “What are these pathetic Jews doing? Can they restore it by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they ever finish it? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?”
- Psalms 123:3Show us favor, Lord, show us favor, for we’ve had more than enough contempt.
- Luke 16:14The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and scoffing at him.
- Luke 18:9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else:
- John 7:48Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in him?
- Proverbs 10:19When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is prudent.
- 1 Samuel 10:27But some wicked men said, “How can this guy save us?” They despised him and did not bring him a gift, but Saul said nothing.
- 2 Kings 18:36But the people kept silent; they did not answer him at all, for the king’s command was, “Don’t answer him.”
- 1 Peter 2:23when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one 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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