New International Version NIV
World English Bible WEB
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
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A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
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 commends knowledge, But the mouth of fools gush out folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
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Yahweh's eyes are everywhere, Keeping watch on 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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A gentle tongue is a tree of life, But deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
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A fool despises his father's correction, But he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
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In the house of the righteous is much treasure, But the income of the wicked brings 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 spread knowledge; Not so with the heart of fools.
8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases 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 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 Yahweh, But he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.
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There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more do human hearts!
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Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh -- How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.
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A scoffer doesn't love to be reproved; He will not go to the wise.
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
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A glad heart makes a cheerful face; But an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
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The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouths of fools feed on folly.
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 afflicted are wretched, But one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the LORDthan great wealth with turmoil.
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Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, Than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.
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Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a fattened 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 wrathful man stirs up contention, But one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
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 sluggard is like a thorn patch, But the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
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A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises 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 one who is void of wisdom, But a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
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Where there is no counsel, plans fail; But in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!
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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 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, To keep him from going downward to Sheol.
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
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Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, But he will keep the widow's borders intact.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.
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Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, But the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one 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 heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
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The heart of the righteous weighs answers, But the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
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Yahweh is far from the wicked, But he hears the prayer 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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The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
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The ear that listens to the reproof lives, And 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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He who refuses correction despises his own soul, But he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.
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The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
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 World English Bible is in the public domain.