New Living Translation NLT
Young's Literal Translation YLT
1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
1
A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
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The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.
3 The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
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In every place are the eyes of Jehovah, Watching the evil and the good.
4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
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A healed tongue [is] a tree of life, And perverseness in it -- a breach in the spirit.
5 Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
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A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.
6 There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
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[In] the house of the righteous [is] abundant strength, And in the increase of the wicked -- trouble.
7 The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.
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The lips of the wise scatter knowledge, And the heart of fools [is] not right.
8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
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The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to Jehovah, And the prayer of the upright [is] His delight.
9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.
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An abomination to Jehovah [is] the way of the wicked, And whoso is pursuing righteousness He loveth.
10 Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die.
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Chastisement [is] grievous to him who is forsaking the path, Whoso is hating reproof dieth.
11 Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD . How much more does he know the human heart!
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Sheol and destruction [are] before Jehovah, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.
12 Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise.
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A scorner loveth not his reprover, Unto the wise he goeth not.
13 A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
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A joyful heart maketh glad the face, And by grief of heart is the spirit smitten.
14 A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
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The heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth folly.
15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
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All the days of the afflicted [are] evil, And gladness of heart [is] a perpetual banquet.
16 Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
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Better [is] a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.
17 A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
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Better [is] an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.
18 A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.
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A man of fury stirreth up contention, And the slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.
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The way of the slothful [is] as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.
20 Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.
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A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.
21 Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.
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Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth [his] going.
22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.
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Without counsel [is] the making void of purposes, And in a multitude of counsellors it is established.
23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
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Joy [is] to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season -- how good!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind.
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A path of life [is] on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath.
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows.
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The house of the proud Jehovah pulleth down, And He setteth up the border of the widow.
26 The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.
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An abomination to Jehovah [are] thoughts of wickedness, And pure [are] sayings of pleasantness.
27 Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.
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A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, And whoso is hating gifts liveth.
28 The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
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The heart of the righteous meditateth to answer, And the mouth of the wicked uttereth evil things.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
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Far [is] Jehovah from the wicked, And the prayer of the righteous He heareth.
30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
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The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, A good report maketh fat the bone.
31 If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
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An ear that is hearing the reproof of life Doth lodge among the wise.
32 If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
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Whoso is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoso is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.
33 Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.
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The fear of Jehovah [is] the instruction of wisdom, And before honour [is] humility!