Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips; and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.
4
A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5 He who mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
5
Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of sons is their fathers.
6
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
7 Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.
7
Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.
8
A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
9 He who forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter alienates a friend.
9
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
10
A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
11
Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.
12 Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.
12
Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.
13 If a man returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
13
Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
14
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.