English Standard Version ESV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
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Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns.
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The good obtain favor from the Lord, but those who devise evil he condemns.
3 No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
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No one finds security by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
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A good wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
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The thoughts of the righteous are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
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The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush, but the speech of the upright delivers them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.
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The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.
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One is commended for good sense, but a perverse mind is despised.
9 Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.
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Better to be despised and have a servant, than to be self-important and lack food.
10 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
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The righteous know the needs of their animals, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
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Those who till their land will have plenty of food, but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.
12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
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The wicked covet the proceeds of wickedness, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
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The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips, but the righteous escape from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.
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From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things, and manual labor has its reward.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
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Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice.
16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.
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Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent ignore an insult.
17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
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Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness speaks deceitfully.
18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
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Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for 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 devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
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Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil, but those who counsel peace have joy.
21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
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No harm happens to the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
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Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
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One who is clever conceals knowledge, but the mind of a fool broadcasts folly.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
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The hand of the diligent will rule, while the lazy will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
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Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
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The righteous gives good advice to friends, but the way of the wicked leads astray.
27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
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The lazy do not roast their game, but the diligent obtain precious wealth.
28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.
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In the path of righteousness there is life, in walking its path there is no death.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.