New Living Translation NLT
Common English Bible CEB
1 A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
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A wise woman builds her house, while a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.
2 Those who follow the right path fear the LORD ; those who take the wrong path despise him.
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Those who walk with integrity fear the LORD, but those who take a crooked path despise him.
3 A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.
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Pride sprouts in the mouth of a fool, but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
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When there are no oxen, the stall is clean, but when there is a strong bull, there is abundant produce.
5 An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.
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A truthful witness doesn't lie, but a false witness spews lies.
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
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A mocker searches for wisdom and gets none, but knowledge comes quickly to the intelligent.
7 Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.
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Stay away from fools, for you won't learn wise speech there.
8 The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.
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By their wisdom the prudent understand their way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them.
9 Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
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Fools mock a compensation offering, but favor is with those who do right.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
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The heart knows its own distress; another person can't share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish.
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The house of the wicked is destroyed, but the tent flourishes for those who do right.
12 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
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There is a path that may seem straight to someone, but in the end it is a path to death.
13 Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
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The heart feels pain even in laughter, and in the end, joy turns to sorrow.
14 Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.
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Rebellious hearts receive satisfaction from their ways; the good receive the due reward for their deeds.
15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.
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The naive believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.
16 The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
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The wise are careful and avoid evil, but fools become excited and overconfident.
17 Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.
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Short-tempered people make stupid mistakes, and schemers are hated.
18 Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
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Stupidity is the lot of the naive, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.
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Evil people will bow down before the good; wicked people are at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.”
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Even their neighbors hate the poor, but many love the wealthy.
21 It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.
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Those who despise their neighbors are sinners, but happy are those who are kind to the needy.
22 If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
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Don't those who plan evil go astray? Those who plan good receive loyalty and faithfulness.
23 Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!
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There is profit in hard work, but mere talk leads to poverty.
24 Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.
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Wealth is the crown of the wise, and the folly of fools is folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.
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A truthful witness saves lives, but a deceiver proclaims lies.
26 Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.
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In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence and refuge for one's children.
27 Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.
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The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning people away from deathtraps.
28 A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing.
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A king's glory is a large population, but a dwindling people is a ruler's ruin.
29 People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.
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Patience leads to abundant understanding, but impatience leads to stupid mistakes.
30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
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A peaceful mind gives life to the body, but jealousy rots the bones.
31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.
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Those who exploit the powerless anger their maker, while those who are kind to the poor honor God.
32 The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.
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The wicked are thrown down by their own evil, but the righteous find refuge even in death.
33 Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.
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Wisdom resides in an understanding heart, but it's not known in fools.
34 Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
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Righteousness dignifies a nation, but sin disgraces a people.
35 A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him.
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The king favors an insightful servant, but is furious at a shameful one.
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.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible