New International Version NIV
New International Reader's Version NIRV
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
1
Anyone who loves to be trained loves knowledge. Anyone who hates to be corrected is stupid.
2 Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.
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The LORD blesses anyone who does good. But he judges any man who is tricky.
3 No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
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If a man does what is evil, he can't become strong and steady. But if people do what is right, they can't be removed from the land.
4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
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A noble wife is her husband's crown. But a wife who brings shame is like sickness in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
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The plans of godly people are right. But the advice of sinners will lead you the wrong way.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
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The words of those who are evil hide and wait to spill people's blood. But the speech of those who are honest saves them from traps like that.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
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Sinners are destroyed and taken away. But the houses of godly people stand firm.
8 A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised.
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A man is praised for how wise he is. But people hate those who have twisted minds.
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
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Being nobody and having a servant is better than pretending to be somebody and having no food.
10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
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Those who do what is right take good care of their animals. But the kindest acts of those who do wrong are mean.
11 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
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Anyone who farms his land will have plenty of food. But a person who chases dreams has no sense.
12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.
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Those who do what is wrong want to steal from others. But those who do what is right bear good fruit because of their deep roots.
13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.
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A sinner is trapped by his sinful talk. But a godly person escapes trouble.
14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.
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Many good things come from what a man says. And the work of his hands rewards him.
15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
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The way of a foolish person seems right to him. But a wise person listens to advice.
16 Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
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Foolish people are easily upset. But wise people pay no attention to hurtful words.
17 An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.
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An honest witness tells the truth. But a dishonest witness tells lies.
18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
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Thoughtless words cut like a sword. But the tongue of wise people brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
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Truthful words last forever. But lies last for only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
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There are lies in the hearts of those who plan evil. But there is joy for those who work to bring peace.
21 No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
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No harm comes to godly people. But sinners have all the trouble they can handle.
22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
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The LORD hates those whose lips tell lies. But he is pleased with people who tell the truth.
23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
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Wise people keep their knowledge to themselves. But the hearts of foolish people shout foolish things.
24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
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Hands that work hard will rule. But people who don't want to work will become slaves.
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
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Worry makes a man's heart heavy. But a kind word cheers him up.
26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
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Godly people are careful about the friends they choose. But the way of sinners leads them down the wrong path.
27 The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
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Anyone who refuses to work doesn't even cook what he catches. But a man who works hard values what he has.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
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There is life in doing what is right. Along that path you will never die.
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.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.