Good News Translation GNT
World English Bible WEB
1 A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.
1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 When wise people speak, they make knowledge attractive, but stupid people spout nonsense.
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The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, But the mouth of fools gush out folly.
3 The Lord sees what happens everywhere; he is watching us, whether we do good or evil.
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Yahweh's eyes are everywhere, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.
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A gentle tongue is a tree of life, But deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 It is foolish to ignore what your parents taught you; it is wise to accept their correction.
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A fool despises his father's correction, But he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 Righteous people keep their wealth, but the wicked lose theirs when hard times come.
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In the house of the righteous is much treasure, But the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 Knowledge is spread by people who are wise, not by fools.
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The lips of the wise spread knowledge; Not so with the heart of fools.
8 The Lord is pleased when good people pray, but hates the sacrifices that the wicked bring him.
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The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The Lord hates the ways of evil people, but loves those who do what is right.
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The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, But he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 If you do what is wrong, you will be severely punished; you will die if you do not let yourself be corrected.
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There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Not even the world of the dead can keep the Lord from knowing what is there; how then can we hide our thoughts from God?
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Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh -- How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 Conceited people do not like to be corrected; they never ask for advice from those who are wiser.
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A scoffer doesn't love to be reproved; He will not go to the wise.
13 When people are happy, they smile, but when they are sad, they look depressed.
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A glad heart makes a cheerful face; But an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 Intelligent people want to learn, but stupid people are satisfied with ignorance.
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The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 The life of the poor is a constant struggle, but happy people always enjoy life.
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All the days of the afflicted are wretched, But one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better to be poor and fear the Lord than to be rich and in trouble.
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Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, Than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better to eat vegetables with people you love than to eat the finest meat where there is hate.
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Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.
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A wrathful man stirs up contention, But one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 If you are lazy, you will meet difficulty everywhere, but if you are honest, you will have no trouble.
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The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, But the path of the upright is a highway.
20 Wise children make their fathers happy. Only fools despise their mothers.
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A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Stupid people are happy with their foolishness, but the wise will do what is right.
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Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, But a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Get all the advice you can, and you will succeed; without it you will fail.
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Where there is no counsel, plans fail; But in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23 What a joy it is to find just the right word for the right occasion!
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Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
24 Wise people walk the road that leads upward to life, not the road that leads downward to death.
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The path of life leads upward for the wise, To keep him from going downward to Sheol.
25 The Lord will destroy the homes of arrogant men, but he will protect a widow's property.
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Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, But he will keep the widow's borders intact.
26 The Lord hates evil thoughts, but he is pleased with friendly words.
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Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, But the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 Try to make a profit dishonestly, and you get your family in trouble. Don't take bribes and you will live longer.
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He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
28 Good people think before they answer. Evil people have a quick reply, but it causes trouble.
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The heart of the righteous weighs answers, But the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 When good people pray, the Lord listens, but he ignores those who are evil.
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Yahweh is far from the wicked, But he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 Smiling faces make you happy, and good news makes you feel better.
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The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 If you pay attention when you are corrected, you are wise.
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The ear that listens to the reproof lives, And will be at home among the wise.
32 If you refuse to learn, you are hurting yourself. If you accept correction, you will become wiser.
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He who refuses correction despises his own soul, But he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 Reverence for the Lord is an education in itself. You must be humble before you can ever receive honors.
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The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.