The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New International Version NIV
1 Every wise woman builds up her home, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
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The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 A person with upright conduct fears ADONAI, but a person who is devious scorns him.
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Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
3 From the mouth of a fool sprouts pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.
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A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the stalls are clean; but much is produced by the strength of an ox.
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Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.
5 An honest witness will not lie, but a false witness lies with every breath.
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An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge comes easily to someone with discernment.
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The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7 Keep clear of a fool, for you won't hear a sensible word from him.
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Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
8 The wisdom of the cautious makes him know where he is going, but the folly of fools misleads them.
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The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
9 Guilt offerings make a mockery of fools; but among the upright there is good will.
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Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger can share its joy.
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Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
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The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There can be a way which seems right to a person, but at its end are the ways of death.
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There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart can be sad, and joy may end in sorrow.
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Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief.
14 A backslider is filled up with his own ways, but a good person gets satisfaction from himself.
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The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.
15 One who doesn't think believes every word, but the cautious understands his steps.
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The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.
16 A wise person fears and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and overconfident.
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The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
17 He who is quick-tempered does stupid things, and one who does vile things is hated.
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A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.
18 Thoughtless people inherit folly, but the cautious are crowned with knowledge.
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The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
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Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are disliked even by their peers, but the rich have many friends.
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The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
21 He who despises his fellow sins, but he who shows compassion to the humble is happy.
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It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
22 Won't those who plot evil go astray? But grace and truth are for those who plan good.
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Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
23 In all work there is profit, but mere talk produces only poverty.
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All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is just that - folly.
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The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a liar misdirects [judgment].
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A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
26 In the fear of ADONAI is powerful security; for his children there will be a place of refuge.
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Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.
27 The fear of ADONAI is a fountain of life enabling one to avoid deadly traps.
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The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
28 A king's glory lies in having many subjects; if the prince's people are few, it is his ruin.
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A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
29 Being slow to anger goes with great understanding, being quick-tempered makes folly still worse.
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Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
30 A tranquil mind gives health to the body, but envy rots the bones.
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A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
31 The oppressor of the poor insults his maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
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Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
32 The wicked are brought down by their wrongdoing, but the righteous can be confident even at death.
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When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.
33 Wisdom is at rest in a person with discernment, but in fools it has to call attention to itself.
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Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.
34 Righteousness makes a nation great, but sin degrades any people.
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Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.
35 A king shows favor to a servant with good sense, but his wrath strikes one who shames [him].
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A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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.