New Living Translation | NET Bible |
1A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. | 1A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. |
2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. | 2The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly. |
3The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. | 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on those who are evil and those who are good. |
4Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. | 4Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree, but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit. |
5Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. | 5A fool rejects his father's discipline, but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense. |
6There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble. | 6In the house of the righteous is abundant wealth, but the income of the wicked brings trouble. |
7The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give. | 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the heart of fools. |
8The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright. | 8The LORD abhors the sacrifices of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. |
9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness. | 9The LORD abhors the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. |
10Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die. | 10Severe discipline is for the one who abandons the way; the one who hates reproof will die. |
11Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart! | 11Death and Destruction are before the LORD--how much more the hearts of humans! |
12Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise. | 12The scorner does not love one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise. |
13A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. | 13A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a painful heart the spirit is broken. |
14A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. | 14The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. |
15For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. | 15All the days of the afflicted are bad, but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast. |
16Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. | 16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth and turmoil with it. |
17A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. | 17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox where there is hatred. |
18A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them. | 18A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel. |
19A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway. | 19The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is like a highway. |
20Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother. | 20A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother. |
21Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path. | 21Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, but one who has understanding follows an upright course. |
22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. | 22Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with abundant advisers they are established. |
23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! | 23A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and a word at the right time--how good it is! |
24The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. | 24The path of life is upward for the wise person, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. |
25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows. | 25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he maintains the boundaries of the widow. |
26The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words. | 26The LORD abhors the plans of the wicked, but pleasant words are pure. |
27Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live. | 27The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live. |
28The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. | 28The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. |
29The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous. | 29The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. |
30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. | 30A bright look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the body. |
31If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. | 31The person who hears the reproof that leads to life is at home among the wise. |
32If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. | 32The one who refuses correction despises himself, but whoever hears reproof acquires understanding. |
33Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. | 33The fear of the LORD provides wise instruction, and before honor comes humility. |
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