The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New International Version NIV
1 A son who heeds his father's discipline is wise, but a scoffer doesn't listen to rebuke.
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A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
2 A [good] man enjoys good as a result of what he says, but the essence of the treacherous is violence.
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From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but one who talks too much comes to ruin.
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Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
4 The lazy person wants but doesn't have; the diligent get their desires filled.
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A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 A righteous person hates lying, but the wicked is vile and disgraceful.
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The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness protects him whose way is honest, but wickedness brings down the sinner.
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Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 There are those with nothing who pretend they are rich, also those with great wealth who pretend they are poor.
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One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 The rich man may have to ransom his life, but a poor man gets no threats.
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A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
9 The light of the righteous [shines] joyfully, but the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.
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The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Insolence produces only strife, but wisdom is found with those who take advice.
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Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Wealth gotten by worthless means dwindles away, but he who amasses it by hard work will increase it.
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Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
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Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 He who despises a word will suffer for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.
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Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of a wise man is a fountain of life, enabling one to avoid deadly traps.
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The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
15 Good common sense produces grace, but the way of the treacherous is rough.
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Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
16 Every cautious person acts with knowledge, but a fool parades his folly.
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All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into evil, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
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A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and shame are for him who won't be taught, but he who heeds reproof will be honored.
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Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning away from evil is abhorrent to fools.
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A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will suffer.
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Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Evil pursues sinners, but prosperity will reward the righteous.
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Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous.
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A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
23 The fields of the poor may yield much food, but some are swept away because of injustice.
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An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.
24 He who fails to use a stick hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
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Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
25 The righteous person eats his fill, but the belly of the wicked is empty.
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The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. 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.