English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of evil devices he condemns.
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Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.
3 No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
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No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like 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; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
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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 lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers 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 no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.
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The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
8 A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.
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A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised.
9 Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack 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 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
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The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
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Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
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The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.
13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from 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 a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to 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 a wise man listens to advice.
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The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.
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Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
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An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.
18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
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The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, 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 those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
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Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
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No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
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The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
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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 will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
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Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
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Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
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The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious 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 path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.
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In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
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.