New International Reader's Version NIRV
New International Version NIV
1 A wise child pays attention to what his father teaches him. But anyone who makes fun of others doesn't listen to warnings.
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A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
2 The good things a man says benefit him. But a liar loves to hurt others.
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From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Anyone who guards what he says guards his life. But anyone who speaks without thinking will be destroyed.
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Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
4 People who refuse to work want things and get nothing. But the longings of people who work hard are completely satisfied.
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A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 Those who do right hate what is false. But those who do wrong bring shame and dishonor.
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The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.
6 Doing right guards those who are honest. But evil destroys those who are sinful.
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Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 Some people pretend to be rich but have nothing. Others pretend to be poor but have great wealth.
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One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 A man who is rich might have to pay to save his life. But a poor person is not in danger of that.
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A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
9 The lights of godly people shine brightly. But the lamps of sinners are blown out.
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The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Pride only leads to arguing. But those who take advice are wise.
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Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Money that is gained in the wrong way disappears. But money that is gathered little by little grows.
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Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope that is put off makes one sick at heart. But a longing that is met is like a tree of life.
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Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Anyone who hates what he is taught will pay for it later. But a person who respects a command will be rewarded.
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Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of wise people is like a fountain that gives life. It turns those who listen to it away from the jaws of death.
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The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding wins favor. But the way of liars doesn't last.
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Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
16 Wise people act in keeping with the knowledge they have. But foolish people show how foolish they are.
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All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.
17 An evil messenger gets into trouble. But a messenger who is trusted brings healing.
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A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18 Those who turn away from their training become poor and ashamed. But those who accept warnings are honored.
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Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 A longing that is met is like something that tastes sweet. But foolish people hate to turn away from evil.
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A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Anyone who walks with wise people grows wise. But a companion of foolish people suffers harm.
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Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Hard times chase those who are sinful. But success is the reward of those who do right.
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Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
22 A good person leaves what he owns to his children and grandchildren. But a sinner's wealth is stored up for those who do right.
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A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
23 The fields of poor people might produce a lot of food. But those who beat them down destroy it all.
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An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Those who don't correct their children hate them. But those who love them are careful to train them.
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Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
25 Those who do right eat until they are full. But the stomachs of those who do wrong go hungry.
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The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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.