New International Version NIV
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
1
A wise son is a lover of teaching, but the ears of the haters of authority are shut to sharp words.
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
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A man will get good from the fruit of his lips, but the desire of the false is for violent acts.
3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
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He who keeps a watch on his mouth keeps his life; but he whose lips are open wide will have destruction.
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
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The hater of work does not get his desires, but the soul of the hard workers will be made fat.
5 The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.
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The upright man is a hater of false words: the evil-doer gets a bad name and is put to shame.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
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Righteousness keeps safe him whose way is without error, but evil-doers are overturned by sin.
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
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A man may be acting as if he had wealth, but have nothing; another may seem poor, but have great wealth.
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
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A man will give his wealth in exchange for his life; but the poor will not give ear to sharp words.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
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There is a glad dawn for the upright man, but the light of the sinner will be put out.
10 Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
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The only effect of pride is fighting; but wisdom is with the quiet in spirit.
11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
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Wealth quickly got will become less; but he who gets a store by the work of his hands will have it increased.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
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Hope put off is a weariness to the heart; but when what is desired comes, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
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He who makes sport of the word will come to destruction, but the respecter of the law will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
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The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning men away from the nets of death.
15 Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
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Wise behaviour gets approval, but the way of the false is their destruction.
16 All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.
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A sharp man does everything with knowledge, but a foolish man makes clear his foolish thoughts.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
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A man taking false news is a cause of trouble, but he who gives news rightly makes things well.
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
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Need and shame will be the fate of him who is uncontrolled by training; but he who takes note of teaching will be honoured.
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
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To get one's desire is sweet to the soul, but to give up evil is disgusting to the foolish.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
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Go with wise men and be wise: but he who keeps company with the foolish will be broken.
21 Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
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Evil will overtake sinners, but the upright will be rewarded with good.
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
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The heritage of the good man is handed down to his children's children; and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the upright man.
23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.
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There is much food in the ploughed land of the poor; but it is taken away by wrongdoing.
24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
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He who keeps back his rod is unkind to his son: the loving father gives punishment with care.
25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
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The upright man has food to the full measure of his desire, but there will be no food for the stomach of evil-doers.
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.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.