New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
3 Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.
3
No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4 A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.
4
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
5 The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
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The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.
6
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm.
7
The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
8 A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised.
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A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised.
9 Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have 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 The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.
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The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.
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Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
12 Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot, but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.
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The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.
13 The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.
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Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.
14 Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards.
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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 their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.
15
The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
16 A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
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Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
17 An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies.
17
An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.
18 Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
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The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
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Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
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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 the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
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No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.
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The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness.
23
The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. 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.