The Bible in Basic English BBE
New International Version NIV
1 A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.
1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man has grace in the eyes of the Lord; but the man of evil designs gets punishment from him.
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Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.
3 No man will make himself safe through evil-doing; but the root of upright men will never be moved.
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No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4 A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease 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 purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers 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 sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.
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The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 Evil-doers are overturned and never seen again, but the house of upright men will keep its place.
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The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
8 A man will be praised in the measure of his wisdom, but a wrong-minded man will be looked down on.
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A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised.
9 He who is of low position and has a servant, is better than one who has a high opinion of himself and is in need of 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 An upright man has thought for the life of his beast, but the hearts of evil-doers 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 who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.
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Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
12 The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.
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The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.
13 In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.
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Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth will a man have good food in full measure, and the work of a man's hands will be rewarded.
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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 the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.
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The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
16 A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.
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Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
17 The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.
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An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.
18 There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again.
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The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.
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Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.
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Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
21 No trouble will come to upright men, but sinners will be full of evil.
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No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.
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The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
23 A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.
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The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
24 The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.
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Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25 Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.
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Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
26 The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.
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The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.
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The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
28 In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.
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In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
The Bible in Basic English 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.