| New King James Version (NKJV) |
New International Version (NIV) |
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1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
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1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
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2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
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2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
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3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
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3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
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4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
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4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
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5 A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
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5 A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
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6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
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6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.
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7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.
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7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
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8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
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8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
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9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness.
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9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
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10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.
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10 Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
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11 Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.
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11 Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD-- how much more the hearts of men!
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12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.
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12 A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise.
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13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
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13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
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14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
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14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
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15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
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15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
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16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.
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16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
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17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.
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17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.
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18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
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18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.
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19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
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19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
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20 A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
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20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
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21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
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21 Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.
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22 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
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22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
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23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
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23 A man finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word!
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24 The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.
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24 The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave.
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25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
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25 The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact.
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26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, But the words of the pure are pleasant.
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26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.
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27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
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27 A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.
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28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
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28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
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29 The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
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29 The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
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30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.
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30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
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31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.
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31 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.
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32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
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32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
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33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
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33 The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
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| Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (New King James Version) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
