The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New King James Version NKJV
1 A gentle response deflects fury, but a harsh word makes tempers rise.
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A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise presents knowledge well, but the mouth of a fool spews out folly.
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The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
3 The eyes of ADONAI are everywhere, watching the evil and the good.
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The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but when it twists things, it breaks the spirit.
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A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father's discipline, but he who heeds warnings is prudent.
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A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
6 The home of the righteous is a storehouse of treasure, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
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In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
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The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.
8 ADONAI detests the sacrifices of the wicked but delights in the prayers of the upright.
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The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 ADONAI detests the way of the wicked but loves anyone who pursues righteousness.
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The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness.
10 Discipline is severe for one who leaves the way, and whoever can't stand correction will die.
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Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.
11 Sh'ol and Abaddon lie open to ADONAI; so how much more people's hearts!
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Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.
12 A scorner does not like being corrected; he won't go to the wise [for advice].
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A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a face happy, but heartache breaks the spirit.
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A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The mind of a person with discernment seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
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The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 For the poor, every day is hard; but the good-hearted have a perpetual feast.
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All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16 Better little with the fear of ADONAI than great wealth coupled with worry.
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Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better a vegetable dinner with love than a stall-fattened ox with hate.
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Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.
18 Hot-tempered people stir up strife, but patient people quiet quarrels.
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A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
19 The lazy person's way seems overgrown by thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
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The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son is a joy to his father, and only a fool despises his mother.
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A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly appeals to one who lacks sense, but a person of discernment goes straight ahead.
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Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22 Without deliberation, plans go wrong; but with many advisers, they succeed.
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Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
23 People take pleasure in anything they say; but a word at the right time, how good it is!
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A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
24 For the prudent, the path of life goes upward; thus he avoids Sh'ol below.
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The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.
25 ADONAI will pull down the houses of the proud, but preserves intact the widow's boundaries.
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The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
26 ADONAI detests plans to do evil, but kind words are pure.
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The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, But the words of the pure are pleasant.
27 The greedy for gain brings trouble to his home, but he who hates bribes will live.
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He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
28 The mind of the righteous thinks before speaking, but the mouth of the wicked spews out evil stuff.
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The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
29 ADONAI is far from the wicked, but he listens to the prayer of the righteous.
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The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 A cheerful glance brings joy to the heart, and good news invigorates the bones.
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The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.
31 He who heeds life-giving correction will be at home in the company of the wise.
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The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.
32 He who spurns discipline detests himself, but he who listens to correction grows in understanding.
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He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
33 The discipline of wisdom is fear of ADONAI, so before being honored, a person must be humble.
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The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.