NET Bible | International Standard Version |
1A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. | 1A gentle response diverts anger, but a harsh statement incites fury. |
2The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly. | 2The wise speak, presenting knowledge appropriately, but fools spout foolishness. |
3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on those who are evil and those who are good. | 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing both the evil and the good. |
4Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree, but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit. | 4A gentle statement is a tree of life, but perverted speech shatters the spirit. |
5A fool rejects his father's discipline, but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense. | 5A fool rejects his father's instructions, but anyone who respects reproof acts sensibly. |
6In the house of the righteous is abundant wealth, but the income of the wicked brings trouble. | 6The righteous house is itself a great treasure, but within the revenue of the wicked calamity is at work. |
7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the heart of fools. | 7What the wise have to say disseminates knowledge, but it's not in the heart of fools to do so. |
8The LORD abhors the sacrifices of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. | 8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. |
9The LORD abhors the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. | 9The lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but he loves those who ardently pursue righteousness. |
10Severe discipline is for the one who abandons the way; the one who hates reproof will die. | 10Severe punishment awaits anyone who wanders off the path— anyone who despises reproof will die. |
11Death and Destruction are before the LORD--how much more the hearts of humans! | 11Since Sheol and Abaddon lie open in the LORD's presence, how much more the hearts of human beings! |
12The scorner does not love one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise. | 12The arrogant mocker never loves the one who corrects him; he will not inquire of the wise. |
13A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a painful heart the spirit is broken. | 13A happy heart enlightens the face, but a sad heart reflects a broken spirit. |
14The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. | 14A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity. |
15All the days of the afflicted are bad, but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast. | 15The entire life of the afflicted seems disastrous, but a good heart feasts continuously. |
16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth and turmoil with it. | 16Better is a little accompanied by fear of the LORD than abundant wealth with turmoil. |
17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox where there is hatred. | 17A vegetarian meal served with love is better than a big, thick steak with a plateful of animosity. |
18A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel. | 18The quickly angered man stirs up contention, but anyone who controls his temper calms a dispute. |
19The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is like a highway. | 19The lifestyle of the lazy is like a thorny hedge, but the path taken by the upright is an open highway. |
20A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother. | 20A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother. |
21Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, but one who has understanding follows an upright course. | 21Stupidity is the delight of the senseless, but an understanding man walks uprightly. |
22Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with abundant advisers they are established. | 22Plans fail without advice, but with many counselors they are confirmed. |
23A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and a word at the right time--how good it is! | 23An appropriate answer brings joy to a person, and a well-timed word is a good thing. |
24The path of life is upward for the wise person, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. | 24The way of life leads upward for the wise so he may avoid Sheol below. |
25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he maintains the boundaries of the widow. | 25The house of the proud the LORD will demolish, but he will protect the widow's boundary line. |
26The LORD abhors the plans of the wicked, but pleasant words are pure. | 26To the LORD evil plans are detestable, but pleasant words are pure. |
27The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live. | 27Those who are greedy for unjust gain bring trouble into their homes, but the person who hates bribes will live. |
28The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. | 28The mind of the righteous thinks before speaking, but the wicked person spews out evil. |
29The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. | 29The LORD is far away from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous. |
30A bright look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the body. | 30Bright eyes encourage the heart; good news nourishes the body. |
31The person who hears the reproof that leads to life is at home among the wise. | 31Whoever listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. |
32The one who refuses correction despises himself, but whoever hears reproof acquires understanding. | 32Whoever ignores instruction hates himself, but anyone who heeds reproof gains understanding. |
33The fear of the LORD provides wise instruction, and before honor comes humility. | 33The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom, and humility precedes honor. |
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