New Revised Standard NRS
New International Version NIV
18 It is senseless to give a pledge, to become surety for a neighbor.
18
One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.
19 One who loves transgression loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones.
19
Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 The crooked of mind do not prosper, and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.
20
One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
21 The one who begets a fool gets trouble; the parent of a fool has no joy.
21
To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.
22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.
22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked accept a concealed bribe to pervert the ways of justice.
23
The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.
24 The discerning person looks to wisdom, but the eyes of a fool to the ends of the earth.
24
A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25 Foolish children are a grief to their father and bitterness to her who bore them.
25
A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
26 To impose a fine on the innocent is not right, or to flog the noble for their integrity.
26
If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right.
27 One who spares words is knowledgeable; one who is cool in spirit has understanding.
27
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.
28
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.