New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.
1
A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.
2 The good obtain favor from the Lord, but those who devise evil he condemns.
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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 finds security by wickedness, but the root 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 good wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
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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 thoughts of the righteous are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
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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 delivers them.
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The words of sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.
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Evil-doers are overturned and never seen again, but the house of upright men will keep its place.
8 One is commended for good sense, but a perverse mind is despised.
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 be self-important and lack food.
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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 The righteous know the needs of their animals, but the mercy of the wicked 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 Those who till their land will have plenty of food, but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.
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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 proceeds of wickedness, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
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The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.
13 The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips, but the righteous escape from trouble.
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In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.
14 From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things, and manual labor has its reward.
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 think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice.
15
The way of the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.
16 Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent ignore an insult.
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A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.
17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness speaks deceitfully.
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The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.
18 Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
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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 lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only 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 mind of those who plan evil, but those who counsel peace have joy.
20
Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.
21 No harm happens to the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
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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 the Lord, but those who act 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 One who is clever conceals knowledge, but the mind of a fool broadcasts 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 hand of 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 weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up.
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Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous gives good advice to friends, but the way of the wicked leads astray.
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The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.
27 The lazy do not roast their game, but the diligent obtain precious wealth.
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He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.
28 In the path of righteousness there is life, in walking its path there is no death.
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In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.
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.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.