New International Version NIV
New Living Translation NLT
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
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A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
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The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
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The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
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Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
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Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
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There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.
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The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.
8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
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The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
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The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.
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Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die.
11 Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more do human hearts!
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Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD . How much more does he know the human heart!
12 Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.
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Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise.
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
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A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
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A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
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For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the LORDthan great wealth with turmoil.
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Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.
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A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
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A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
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A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
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Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
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Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
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Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.
23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!
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Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
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The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind.
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
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The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.
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The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
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Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
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The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
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The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
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A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
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If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
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If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.
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Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.
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.