Young's Literal Translation YLT
New International Version NIV
1 Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof [is] brutish.
1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
2 The good bringeth forth favour from Jehovah, And the man of wicked devices He condemneth.
2
Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.
3
No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.
4
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] justice, The counsels of the wicked -- deceit.
5
The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked [are]: `Lay wait for blood,' And the mouth of the upright delivereth them.
6
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous standeth.
7
The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
8 According to his wisdom is a man praised, And the perverted of heart becometh despised.
8
A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised.
9 Better [is] the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.
9
Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 The righteous knoweth the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
10
The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,
11
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
12 The wicked hath desired the net of evil doers, And the root of the righteous giveth.
12
The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.
13 In transgression of the lips [is] the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress.
13
Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.
14 From the fruit of the mouth [is] one satisfied [with] good, And the deed of man's hands returneth to him.
14
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, And whoso is hearkening to counsel [is] wise.
15
The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
16 The fool -- in a day is his anger known, And the prudent is covering shame.
16
Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
17 Whoso uttereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, And a false witness -- deceit.
17
An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.
18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.
18
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 The lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment -- a tongue of falsehood.
19
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit [is] in the heart of those devising evil, And to those counselling peace [is] joy.
20
Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
21 No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.
21
No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 An abomination to Jehovah [are] lying lips, And stedfast doers [are] his delight.
22
The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
23 A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.
23
The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
24 The hand of the diligent ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary.
24
Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25 Sorrow in the heart of a man boweth down, And a good word maketh him glad.
25
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
26 The righteous searcheth his companion, And the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
26
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The slothful roasteth not his hunting, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.
27
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 the way of [that] path [is] no death!
28
In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
Young's Literal Translation 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.