Proverbs · Chapter 12 · Anxiety
Proverbs 12:25 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
For the mind that will not quiet itself.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad."
KJV · King James Version
"Heaviness1674 in the heart3820 of man376 maketh it stoop7812: but a good2896 word1697 maketh it glad8055."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses heaviness, the, maketh, stoop, while the WEB renders these as anxiety, weighs, down, kind. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Proverbs 12:25 in Proverbs 12
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Proverbs 12:25 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Proverbs 12. Read the full chapter →
- v.23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
- v.24 The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
- v.25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
- v.26 A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
- v.27 The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
Book background
About the Book of Proverbs
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Genre
- Wisdom literature
- Author
- Solomon (primarily), Agur, Lemuel
- Date written
- c. 970–700 BC
- Audience
- Young men learning the wisdom of the covenant
- Chapters
- 31
Proverbs offers practical, observable wisdom for living under God in the everyday world — speech, money, marriage, friendship, work, anger. Its core thesis is in 1:7: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." Chapter 31 closes with the famous portrait of the wise woman whose worth is "far above rubies."
Setting: Compiled across multiple reigns; Solomon's collection plus later additions.
Key themes: wisdom · fear of the LORD · speech · work · relationships
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Proverbs 12:25
Proverbs 12:25 contains 15 words in 2 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down
AIAMHW
- 2
but a kind word makes it glad.
BAKWMI
Frequently asked
FAQ about Proverbs 12:25
What does Proverbs 12:25 say?
Proverbs 12:25 reads: "Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad." — from the Old Testament, Proverbs (Wisdom literature). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Proverbs 12:25 in?
Proverbs 12:25 is in the book of Proverbs, traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), Agur, Lemuel and written around c. 970–700 BC. Proverbs is wisdom literature in the Old Testament, originally addressed to Young men learning the wisdom of the covenant. Best known for "trust in the LORD with all your heart" (3:5-6).
What is Proverbs 12:25 about?
Proverbs 12:25 is primarily a Bible verse about Anxiety. Within Proverbs, Proverbs offers practical, observable wisdom for living under God in the everyday world — speech, money, marriage, friendship, work, anger. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between Proverbs 12:25 in WEB and KJV?
Proverbs 12:25 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Heaviness1674 in the heart3820 of man376 maketh it stoop7812: but a good2896 word1697 maketh it glad8055.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Proverbs 12:25?
Proverbs 12:25 is 15 words in the WEB translation (71 characters), broken into 2 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 5 seconds.
How can I memorise Proverbs 12:25?
To memorise Proverbs 12:25, split it into its 2 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Proverbs 12:25 matter in Proverbs?
Proverbs offers practical, observable wisdom for living under God in the everyday world — speech, money, marriage, friendship, work, anger. Its core thesis is in 1:7: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." Chapter 31 closes with the famous portrait of the wise woman whose worth is "far above rubies." Proverbs 12:25 sits within this larger story — Proverbs as a whole emphasises wisdom, fear of the LORD, speech.
How can I apply Proverbs 12:25 today?
Many readers use Proverbs 12:25 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Proverbs 12:25 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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Joshua 1:9
“Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.””
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Isaiah 41:10
“Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the…”
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Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.”
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John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.”
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Philippians 4:6-7
“In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which sur…”
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Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.””
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Psalms 27:1
“By David. Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”
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Psalm 42:11
“Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.”
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Matthew 6:34
“Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient.”
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1 Peter 5:7
“Casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.”
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Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
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“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
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Proverbs 17:17
“A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.”
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Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
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