Third Millennium Bible TMB
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.
1
A gentle answer turns away rage, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright, but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
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The tongues of wise people give good expression to knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out a flood of stupidity.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
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The eyes of the LORD are everywhere. They watch evil people and good people.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
4
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction, but he that heedeth reproof is prudent.
5
A stubborn fool despises his father's discipline, but whoever appreciates a warning shows good sense.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the revenues of the wicked bring trouble.
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Great treasure is in the house of a righteous person, but trouble comes along with the income of a wicked person.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
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The lips of wise people spread knowledge, but a foolish attitude does not.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
8
A sacrifice brought by wicked people is disgusting to the LORD, but the prayers of decent people please him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD, but He loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
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The way of wicked people is disgusting to the LORD, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way, and he that hateth reproof shall die.
10
Discipline is a terrible [burden] to anyone who leaves the [right] path. Anyone who hates a warning will die.
11 Hell and destruction are the concern of the LORD; how much more then, the hearts of the children of men?
11
If Sheol and Abaddon lie open in front of the LORD how much more the human heart!
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him, neither will he go unto the wise.
12
A mocker does not appreciate a warning. He will not go to wise people.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
13
A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but with a heartache comes depression.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge, but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
14
The mind of a person who has understanding searches for knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on stupidity.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
15
Every day is a terrible day for a miserable person, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and trouble therewith.
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Better to have a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and turmoil.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fattened ox and hatred therewith.
17
Better to have a dish of vegetables where there is love than juicy steaks where there is hate.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife, but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
18
A hothead stirs up a fight, but one who holds his temper calms disputes.
19 The way of a slothful man is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the righteous is made a plain.
19
The path of lazy people is like a thorny hedge, but the road of decent people is an [open] highway.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father, but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
20
A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish child despises its mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom, but the man of understanding walketh uprightly.
21
Stupidity is fun to the one without much sense, but a person who has understanding forges straight ahead.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.
22
Without advice plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season -- how good it is!
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A person is delighted to hear an answer from his own mouth, and a timely word--oh, how good!
24 The path of life is upward for the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
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The path of life for a wise person leads upward in order to turn him away from hell below.
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, but He will establish the border of the widow.
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The LORD tears down the house of an arrogant person, but he protects the property of widows.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
26
The thoughts of evil people are disgusting to the LORD, but pleasant words are pure to him.
27 He that is greedy for gain troubleth his own house, but he that hateth bribes shall live.
27
Whoever is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble to his family, but whoever hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
28
The heart of a righteous person carefully considers how to answer, but the mouths of wicked people pour out a flood of evil things.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.
29
The LORD is far from wicked people, but he hears the prayers of righteous people.
30 The light of the eyes maketh the heart rejoice, and a good report maketh the bones fat.
30
A twinkle in the eye delights the heart. Good news refreshes the body.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
31
The ear that listens to a life-giving warning will be at home among wise people.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul, but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
32
Whoever ignores discipline despises himself, but the person who listens to warning gains understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.
33
The fear of the LORD is discipline [leading to] wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.