I’m slightly biased here because I wrote this plugin, but there is an Essentials like plugin for Sponge, Nucleus: Nucleus - The Ultimate Essentials Plugin
For permissions, the only plugin that I know of that works with 1.12.2 is LuckPerms: LuckPerms - A permissions plugin for Minecraft servers
Banning items, you have a few solutions. I know of MMCRestrict and ProtectionPerms, but if you want a GriefPrevention replacement there is GriefPrevention for Sponge: GriefPrevention Official Thread [1.10/1.11/1.12] TOWN/WECUI Support
Every server is different though - I’m sure there are many people with many different recommendations here. It just depends what you want your server to do!