English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
1 A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
1
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
2 From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
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From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
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Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
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A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.
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The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.
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Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
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One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.
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A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
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The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.
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Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
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Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
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Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
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Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
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The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
15 Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.
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Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
16 In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
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All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
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A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.
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Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
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A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
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Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.
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Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
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A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice.
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An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
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Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
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The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
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.