New International Version NIV
Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
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A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.
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 adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
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The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.
4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
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A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
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A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
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The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is 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 shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.
8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
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The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.
9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
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The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.
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Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more do human hearts!
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Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men?
12 Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.
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A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
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A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
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The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
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All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the LORDthan great wealth with turmoil.
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Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content.
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.
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It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.
18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
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A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
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The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns: the way of the just is without offence.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
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A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
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Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
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Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.
23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!
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A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.
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 is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest hell.
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 will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.
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Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
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He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
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The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked overfloweth with evils.
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: and he will hear the prayers of the just.
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
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The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
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The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.
32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
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He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof, possesseth understanding.
33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.
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The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.
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.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.