New International Version NIV
New International Reader's Version NIRV
1 Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
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A man who still won't obey after being warned many times will suddenly be destroyed. Nothing can save him.
2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.
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When those who do right grow stronger, the people are glad. But when those who do wrong become rulers, the people groan.
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
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A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad. But a man who spends time with prostitutes wastes his father's wealth.
4 By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.
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By doing what is fair, a king makes a country secure. But the one who wants to be paid off tears it down.
5 Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.
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A man who only pretends to praise his neighbor is spreading a net to catch him by the feet.
6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.
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A sinful man is trapped by his own sin. But a godly person can sing and be glad.
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
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Those who do what is right want to treat poor people fairly. But those who do what is wrong don't care about the poor.
8 Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.
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Those who make fun of others stir up a city. But wise people turn anger away.
9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
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Suppose a wise man goes to court with a foolish person. Then the foolish person gets mad and pokes fun. And there is no peace.
10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright.
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Murderers hate honest people. They try to kill those who do what is right.
11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
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A foolish person lets his anger run wild. But a wise person keeps himself under control.
12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.
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If rulers listen to lies, all their officials become evil.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
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The LORD gives sight to the eyes of poor people and those who beat others down. That's what they both have in common.
14 If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.
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If a king judges poor people fairly, his throne will always be secure.
15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.
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If a child is corrected, he becomes wise. But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.
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When those who do wrong grow stronger, so does sin. But those who do right will see them destroyed.
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.
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If you train your children, they will give you peace. They will bring delight to you.
18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
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Where there is no message from God, the people don't control themselves. But blessed are those who obey the law.
19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words; though they understand, they will not respond.
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A servant can't be corrected only by words. Even if he understands, he won't obey.
20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
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Have you seen a man who speaks without thinking? There is more hope for foolish people than for him.
21 A servant pampered from youth will turn out to be insolent.
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If you spoil your servant while he is young, he will bring you sorrow later on.
22 An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
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An angry man stirs up fights. And a person who burns with anger commits many sins.
23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
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If a man is proud, he will be made low. But if he isn't proud, he will be honored.
24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies; they are put under oath and dare not testify.
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Anyone who helps a thief is his own enemy. When he is put under oath, he doesn't dare give witness.
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
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If you are afraid of people, it will trap you. But if you trust in the Lord, he will keep you safe.
26 Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the LORD that one gets justice.
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Many people want to meet a ruler. But only the LORD sees that people are treated fairly.
27 The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.
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Those who do what is right hate dishonest people. Those who do what is wrong hate honest people.
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 International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.