GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New International Version NIV
1 Whoever loves discipline loves to learn, but whoever hates correction is a dumb animal.
1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
2 A good person obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns everyone who schemes.
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Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.
3 A person cannot stand firm on a foundation of wickedness, and the roots of righteous people cannot be moved.
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No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4 A wife with strength of character is the crown of her husband, but the wife who disgraces him is like bone cancer.
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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 righteous people are fair. The advice of wicked people is treacherous.
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The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of wicked people are a deadly ambush, but the words of decent people rescue.
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The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 Overthrow wicked people, and they are no more, but the families of righteous people continue to stand.
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The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
8 A person will be praised based on his insight, but whoever has a twisted mind will be 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 unimportant and have a slave than to act important and have nothing to eat.
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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 person cares [even] about the life of his animals, but the compassion of wicked people is [nothing but] cruelty.
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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 to eat, but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense.
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Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
12 A wicked person delights in setting a trap for [other] evil people, but the roots of righteous people produce [fruit].
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The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.
13 An evil person is trapped by his own sinful talk, but a righteous person escapes from trouble.
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Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.
14 One person enjoys good things as a result of his speaking ability. Another is paid according to what his hands have accomplished.
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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 A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one, but a person who listens to advice is wise.
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The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
16 When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately, but a sensible person hides the insult.
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Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
17 A truthful witness speaks honestly, but a lying witness speaks deceitfully.
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An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.
18 Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing.
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The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 The word of truth lasts forever, but lies last only 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 plan evil, but joy belongs to those who advise peace.
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Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
21 No [lasting] harm comes to a righteous person, but wicked people have lots of trouble.
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No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 Lips that lie are disgusting to the LORD, but honest people are his delight.
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The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
23 A sensible person [discreetly] hides knowledge, but foolish minds preach stupidity.
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The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
24 Hard-working hands gain control, but lazy hands do slave labor.
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Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25 A person's anxiety will weigh him down, but an encouraging word makes him joyful.
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Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
26 A righteous person looks out for his neighbor, but the path of wicked people leads others astray.
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The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 A lazy hunter does not catch his prey, but a hard-working person becomes wealthy.
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The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
28 Everlasting life is on the way of righteousness. Eternal death is not along its path.
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In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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.