Revised Standard Version RSV
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
1
A wise son listens to his father's discipline, but a mocker does not listen to reprimands.
2 From the fruit of his mouth a good man eats good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
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A person eats well as a result of his speaking ability, but the appetite of treacherous people [craves] violence.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
3
Whoever controls his mouth protects his own life. Whoever has a big mouth comes to ruin.
4 The soul of the sluggard craves, and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
4
A lazy person craves food and there is none, but the appetite of hard-working people is satisfied.
5 A righteous man hates falsehood, but a wicked man acts shamefully and disgracefully.
5
A righteous person hates lying, but a wicked person behaves with shame and disgrace.
6 Righteousness guards him whose way is upright, but sin overthrows the wicked.
6
Righteousness protects the honest way of life, but wickedness ruins a sacrifice for sin.
7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
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One person pretends to be rich but has nothing. Another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man has no means of redemption.
8
A person's riches are the ransom for his life, but the poor person does not pay attention to threats.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
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The light of righteous people beams brightly, but the lamp of wicked people will be snuffed out.
10 By insolence the heedless make strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.
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Arrogance produces only quarreling, but those who take advice gain wisdom.
11 Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but he who gathers little by little will increase it.
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Wealth [gained] through injustice dwindles away, but whoever gathers little by little has plenty.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
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Delayed hope makes one sick at heart, but a fulfilled longing is a tree of life.
13 He who despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who respects the commandment will be rewarded.
13
Whoever despises [God's] words will pay the penalty, but the one who fears [God's] commands will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.
14
The teachings of a wise person are a fountain of life to turn [one] away from the grasp of death.
15 Good sense wins favor, but the way of the faithless is their ruin.
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Good sense brings favor, but the way of treacherous people is always the same.
16 In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
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Any sensible person acts with knowledge, but a fool displays stupidity.
17 A bad messenger plunges men into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
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An undependable messenger gets into trouble, but a dependable envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but he who heeds reproof is honored.
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Poverty and shame come to a person who ignores discipline, but whoever pays attention to constructive criticism will be honored.
19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul; but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
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A fulfilled desire is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is disgusting to fools.
20 He who walks with wise men becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
20
Whoever walks with wise people will be wise, but whoever associates with fools will suffer.
21 Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.
21
Disaster hunts down sinners, but righteous people are rewarded with good.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
22
Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the wealth of sinners is stored away for a righteous person.
23 The fallow ground of the poor yields much food, but it is swept away through injustice.
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When poor people are able to plow, there is much food, but a person is swept away where there is no justice.
24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
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Whoever refuses to spank his son hates him, but whoever loves his son disciplines him from early on.
25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
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A righteous person eats to satisfy his appetite, but the bellies of wicked people are always empty.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.