New Living Translation | Berean Study Bible |
1A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. | 1Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. |
2Those who follow the right path fear the LORD; those who take the wrong path despise him. | 2He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him. |
3A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe. | 3The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. |
4Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. | 4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox. |
5An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. | 5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies. |
6A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding. | 6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. |
7Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips. | 7Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. |
8The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves. | 8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. |
9Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation. | 9Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright. |
10Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. | 10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy. |
11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish. | 11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. |
12There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. | 12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. |
13Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains. | 13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow. |
14Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward. | 14The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways. |
15Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. | 15The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps. |
16The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. | 16A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless. |
17Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated. | 17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated. |
18Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. | 18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. |
19Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly. | 19The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. |
20The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.” | 20The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich. |
21It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor. | 21He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor. |
22If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. | 22Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness. |
23Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! | 23There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. |
24Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness. | 24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly. |
25A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor. | 25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful. |
26Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children. | 26He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge. |
27Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. | 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. |
28A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing. | 28A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin. |
29People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. | 29A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly. |
30A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. | 30A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones. |
31Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him. | 31Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him. |
32The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die. | 32The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death. |
33Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools. | 33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known. |
34Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. | 34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
35A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him. | 35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful. |
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