Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
1 A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
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A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
2 From the fruit of his mouth a good man eats 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 He who 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 A righteous man hates falsehood, but a wicked man acts shamefully and disgracefully.
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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 upright, but sin overthrows the wicked.
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Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 One man 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 has no means of redemption.
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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 the heedless make 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 hastily gotten will dwindle, but he who 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 He who despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who respects 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 avoid 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 faithless is their ruin.
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Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
16 In everything a prudent man 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 bad messenger plunges men 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 he who 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 He who walks with wise men 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 Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.
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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 yields 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 He who 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.
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.