New International Version NIV
New Living Translation NLT
1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
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A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
2 Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
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Those who follow the right path fear the LORD ; those who take the wrong path despise him.
3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.
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A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.
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Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
5 An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
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An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
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A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
7 Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
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Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
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The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
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Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.
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Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
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The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish.
12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
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There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief.
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Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.
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Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.
15 The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.
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Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.
16 The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
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The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
17 A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.
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Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
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Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
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Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
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The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.”
21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
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It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
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If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
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Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
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Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
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A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.
26 Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.
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Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
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Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.
28 A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
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A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing.
29 Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
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People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
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A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
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Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.
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The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.
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Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.
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Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.
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A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him.
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.
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.