American Standard Version ASV
New International Version NIV
1 Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; But he that hateth reproof is brutish.
1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man shall obtain favor of Jehovah; But a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
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Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness; But the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
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No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband; But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
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A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; [But] the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
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The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood; But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
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The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not; But the house of the righteous shall stand.
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The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom; But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
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A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised.
9 Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.
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Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
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The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain [persons] is void of understanding.
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Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men; But the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].
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The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.
13 In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man; But the righteous shall come out of trouble.
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Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth; And the doings of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
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From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
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The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
16 A fool's vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.
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Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
17 He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness; But a false witness, deceit.
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An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.
18 There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health.
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The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
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Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; But to the counsellors of peace is joy.
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Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
21 There shall no mischief happen to the righteous; But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
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No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; But they that deal truly are his delight.
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The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
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The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; But the slothful shall be put under taskwork.
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Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25 Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good word maketh it glad.
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Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor; But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
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The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of men [is to] the diligent.
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The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
28 In the way of righteousness is life; And in the pathway thereof there is no death.
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In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.
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.