New Century Version NCV
New International Version NIV
1 These are the wise words of Solomon: A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish son makes his mother sad.
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The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
2 Riches gotten by doing wrong have no value, but right living will save you from death.
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Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.
3 The Lord does not let good people go hungry, but he keeps evil people from getting what they want.
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The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
4 A lazy person will end up poor, but a hard worker will become rich.
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Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.
5 Those who gather crops on time are wise, but those who sleep through the harvest are a disgrace.
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He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
6 Good people will have rich blessings, but the wicked will be overwhelmed by violence.
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Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
7 Good people will be remembered as a blessing, but evil people will soon be forgotten.
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The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise do what they are told, but a talkative fool will be ruined.
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The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
9 The honest person will live in safety, but the dishonest will be caught.
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Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
10 A wink may get you into trouble, and foolish talk will lead to your ruin.
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Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
11 The words of a good person give life, like a fountain of water, but the words of the wicked contain nothing but violence.
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The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up trouble, but love forgives all wrongs.
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Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
13 Smart people speak wisely, but people without wisdom should be punished.
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Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.
14 The wise don't tell everything they know, but the foolish talk too much and are ruined.
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The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
15 Having lots of money protects the rich, but having no money destroys the poor.
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The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
16 Good people are rewarded with life, but evil people are paid with punishment.
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The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.
17 Whoever accepts correction is on the way to life, but whoever ignores correction will lead others away from life.
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Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
18 Whoever hides hate is a liar. Whoever tells lies is a fool.
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Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.
19 If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin; if you are wise, you will keep quiet.
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Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.
20 The words of a good person are like pure silver, but an evil person's thoughts are worth very little.
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The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
21 Good people's words will help many others, but fools will die because they don't have wisdom.
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The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.
22 The Lord's blessing brings wealth, and no sorrow comes with it.
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The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it.
23 A foolish person enjoys doing wrong, but a person with understanding enjoys doing what is wise.
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A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
24 Evil people will get what they fear most, but good people will get what they want most.
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What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted.
25 A storm will blow the evil person away, but a good person will always be safe.
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When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.
26 A lazy person affects the one he works for like vinegar on the teeth or smoke in the eyes.
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As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them.
27 Whoever respects the Lord will have a long life, but the life of an evil person will be cut short.
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The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28 A good person can look forward to happiness, but an evil person can expect nothing.
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The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
29 The Lord will protect good people but will ruin those who do evil.
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The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
30 Good people will always be safe, but evil people will not remain in the land.
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The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.
31 A good person says wise things, but a liar's tongue will be stopped.
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From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced.
32 Good people know the right thing to say, but evil people only tell lies.
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The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. 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.