Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
It's better to be unimportant, yet have a servant, than to pretend to be important, but lack food.
New American Standard Bible
Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.
King James Version
He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
Holman Bible
than to act important but have no food.
A Conservative Version
Better is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
American Standard Version
Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.
Amplified
Than he who [boastfully] honors himself [pretending to be what he is not] and lacks bread.
Bible in Basic English
He who is of low position and has a servant, is better than one who has a high opinion of himself and is in need of bread.
Darby Translation
Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
Julia Smith Translation
He is good being despised, and a servant to him above him, honoring himself, and wanting bread.
King James 2000
He that is despised, and has a servant, is better than he that honors himself, and lacks bread.
Lexham Expanded Bible
It is better to be lowly and a servant {to someone} than self-glorifying and lacking food.
Modern King James verseion
Better is one despised, and having a servant, than he honoring himself and lacks bread.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
A simple man which laboureth and worketh, is better than one that is gorgeous and lacketh bread.
NET Bible
Better is a person of humble standing who nevertheless has a servant, than one who pretends to be somebody important yet has no food.
New Heart English Bible
Better is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
The Emphasized Bible
Better slighted, and have a servant, than to honour oneself, and come short of bread.
Webster
He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoreth himself, and is destitute of bread.
World English Bible
Better is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
Youngs Literal Translation
Better is the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.
Interlinear
Qalah
`ebed
Towb
Word Count of 20 Translations in Proverbs 12:9
Verse Info
Context Readings
Proverbs Of Solomon
8 A man is praised because of his wise words, but the perverted mind will be despised. 9 It's better to be unimportant, yet have a servant, than to pretend to be important, but lack food. 10 The righteous person looks out for the welfare of his livestock, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
Names
Cross References
Luke 14:11
Because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be exalted."
Proverbs 13:7
One person pretends to be wealthy, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet is rich.