New Revised Standard NRS
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 Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who are 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 children is their parents.
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 ruler.
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 those who give it; wherever they turn they prosper.
8
A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
9 One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.
9
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke strikes deeper into a discerning person than a hundred blows into a fool.
10
A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 Evil people seek only rebellion, but a cruel messenger will be sent against them.
11
Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.
12 Better to meet a she-bear robbed of its cubs than to confront a fool immersed in folly.
12
Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.
13 Evil will not depart from the house of one who returns evil for good.
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 stop before the quarrel breaks out.
14
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
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.