The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 He who loves knowledge loves discipline, but he who hates correction is a boor.
1
A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.
2 A good man obtains ADONAI's favor, but the schemer his condemnation.
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A good man has grace in the eyes of the Lord; but the man of evil designs gets punishment from him.
3 No one is made secure by wickedness, but the roots of the righteous will never be moved.
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No man will make himself safe through evil-doing; but the root of upright men will never be moved.
4 A capable wife is a crown for her husband, but a shameful one is like rot in his bones.
4
A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the schemes of the wicked are deceitful.
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The purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
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The words of sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.
7 Once the wicked are down, it's the end of them; but the house of the upright endures.
7
Evil-doers are overturned and never seen again, but the house of upright men will keep its place.
8 A person wins praise in keeping with his common sense, but a person with a warped mind is treated with contempt.
8
A man will be praised in the measure of his wisdom, but a wrong-minded man will be looked down on.
9 Better to be despised and have a servant than to boast of one's status but have nothing to eat.
9
He who is of low position and has a servant, is better than one who has a high opinion of himself and is in need of bread.
10 A righteous man takes care of his animal, but the wicked? Even his compassion is cruel.
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An upright man has thought for the life of his beast, but the hearts of evil-doers are cruel.
11 He who farms his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows futilities has no sense.
11
He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.
12 The wicked covet the loot of evil men, but the root of the righteous gives forth of itself.
12
The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.
13 The wicked is trapped by his own sinful speech, but the righteous finds a way out of trouble.
13
In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.
14 One can be filled with good as the result of one's words, and one gets the reward one's deeds deserve.
14
From the fruit of his mouth will a man have good food in full measure, and the work of a man's hands will be rewarded.
15 Fools suppose their way is straight, but the wise pay attention to advice.
15
The way of the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.
16 A fool's anger is known at once, but a cautious person slighted conceals his feelings.
16
A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.
17 He who tells the truth furthers justice, but a false witness furthers deceit.
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The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.
18 Idle talk can pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise can heal.
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There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again.
19 Truthful words will stand forever, lying speech but a moment.
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True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but for those advising peace there is joy.
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Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.
21 No harm can come to the righteous, but the wicked are overwhelmed with disaster.
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No trouble will come to upright men, but sinners will be full of evil.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to ADONAI, but those who deal faithfully are his delight.
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False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.
23 A cautious person conceals knowledge, but the heart of a fool blurts out folly.
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A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.
24 The diligent will rule, while the lazy will be put to forced labor.
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The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.
25 Anxiety in a person's heart weighs him down, but a kind word cheers him up.
25
Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous guides his friend's way rightly, but the way of the wicked will lead them astray.
26
The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.
27 A lazy man doesn't roast what he hunted; but when a man is diligent, his wealth is precious.
27
He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.
28 In the road of righteousness is life; no death is in its pathway.
28
In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.