New Century Version NCV
New International Version NIV
1 Anyone who loves learning accepts correction, but a person who hates being corrected is stupid.
1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
2 The Lord is pleased with a good person, but he will punish anyone who plans evil.
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Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.
3 Doing evil brings no safety at all, but a good person has safety and security.
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No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4 A good wife is like a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful wife is like a disease in his bones.
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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 plans that good people make are fair, but the advice of the wicked will trick you.
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The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The wicked talk about killing people, but the words of good people will save them.
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The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 Wicked people die and they are no more, but a good person's family continues.
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The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
8 The wisdom of the wise wins praise, but there is no respect for the stupid.
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A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised.
9 A person who is not important but has a servant is better off than someone who acts important but has no food.
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Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 Good people take care of their animals, but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
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The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have plenty of food, but the one who chases empty dreams is not wise.
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Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
12 The wicked want what other evil people have stolen, but good people want to give what they have to others.
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The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.
13 Evil people are trapped by their evil talk, but good people stay out of trouble.
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Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.
14 People will be rewarded for what they say, and they will also be rewarded for what they do.
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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 Fools think they are doing right, but the wise listen to advice.
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The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
16 Fools quickly show that they are upset, but the wise ignore insults.
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Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
17 An honest witness tells the truth, but a dishonest witness tells lies.
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An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.
18 Careless words stab like a sword, but wise words bring healing.
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The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truth will continue forever, but lies are only for a moment.
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Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Those who plan evil are full of lies, but those who plan peace are happy.
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Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
21 No harm comes to a good person, but an evil person's life is full of trouble.
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No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The Lord hates those who tell lies but is pleased with those who keep their promises.
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The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
23 Wise people keep what they know to themselves, but fools can't keep from showing how foolish they are.
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The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
24 Hard workers will become leaders, but those who are lazy will be slaves.
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Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25 Worry is a heavy load, but a kind word cheers you up.
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Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
26 Good people take advice from their friends, but an evil person is easily led to do wrong.
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The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy catch no food to cook, but a hard worker will have great wealth.
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The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
28 Doing what is right is the way to life, but there is another way that leads to death.
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In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.