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13 A wise son listens when his father tells him the right way, but one who laughs at the truth does not listen when strong words are spoken to him.

The one who is careful what he says will have good come to him, but the one who wants to hurt others will have trouble.

He who watches over his mouth keeps his life. He who opens his lips wide will be destroyed.

The soul of the lazy person has strong desires but gets nothing, but the soul of the one who does his best gets more than he needs.

A man who is right with God hates lies, but the actions of a sinful man are hated and he is put to shame.

What is right and good watches over the one whose way is without blame, but sin destroys the sinful.

There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing. Another pretends to be poor, but has many riches.

A rich man can use his riches to save his life, but the poor man does not hear strong words spoken to him.

Those who are right with God are full of light, but the lamp of the sinful will be put out.

10 Fighting comes only from pride, but wisdom is with those who listen when told what they should do.

11 Riches taken by false ways become less and less, but riches grow for the one who gathers by hard work.

12 Hope that is put off makes the heart sick, but a desire that comes into being is a tree of life.

13 He who hates the Word is under its power, but he who fears the Word will be well paid.

14 The teaching of the wise is a well of life, to save one from the nets of death.

15 Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the sinful is hard.

16 Every wise man acts with much learning, but a fool makes his foolish way known.

17 A sinful helper falls into trouble, but a faithful helper brings healing.

18 He who will not listen to strong teaching will become poor and ashamed, but he who listens when strong words are spoken will be honored.

19 A desire that is filled is sweet to the soul, but fools hate to give up what is sinful.

20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the one who walks with fools will be destroyed.

21 Trouble follows sinners, but good things will be given to those who are right with God.

22 A good man leaves what he owns for his children’s children. The riches of the sinner are stored up for those who are right with God.

23 Much food is in the plowed land of the poor, but it is taken away because of wrong-doing.

24 He who does not punish his son when he needs it hates him, but he who loves him will punish him when he needs it.

25 The man who is right with God has all the food he needs, but the stomach of the sinful man never has enough.

14 The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

He who walks in honor fears the Lord, but he who is sinful in his ways hates Him.

A foolish man’s talk brings a stick to his back, but the lips of the wise will keep them safe.

There is no grain where there are no oxen, but much grain comes by the strength of the ox.

A faithful man who tells what he knows will not lie, but the man who is not faithful will lie.

One who laughs at the truth looks for wisdom and does not find it, but much learning is easy to him who has understanding.

Go away from a foolish man, for you will not find words of much learning.

The wisdom of the wise man is to understand what to do, but lying is the foolish way of fools.

Fools laugh at sin, but the favor of God is among the faithful.

10 The heart knows when it is bitter, and a stranger cannot share its joy.

11 The house of the sinful will be destroyed, but all will go well in the tent of the faithful.

12 There is a way which looks right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

13 Even while laughing the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be sorrow.

14 The man who has gone back into sin will get the fruit of his ways, and a good man will get the fruit of what he does.

15 The one who is easy to fool believes everything, but the wise man looks where he goes.

16 A wise man fears God and turns away from what is sinful, but a fool is full of pride and is not careful.

17 He who has a quick temper acts in a foolish way, and a man who makes sinful plans is hated.

18 Those who are easy to fool are foolish, but the wise have much learning.

19 Sinful men will bow in front of the good, and at the gates of those who are right with God.

20 The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but the rich man has many friends.

21 He who hates his neighbor sins, but happy is he who shows loving-favor to the poor.

22 Do not those who make sinful plans go the wrong way? Kindness and truth are for those who plan good.

23 Some good comes from all work. Nothing but talk leads only to being poor.

24 What the wise receive is their riches, but fools are known by their foolish ways.

25 A faithful man who tells what he knows saves lives, but he who tells lies hurts others.

26 There is strong trust in the fear of the Lord, and His children will have a safe place.

27 The fear of the Lord is a well of life. Its waters keep a man from death.

28 The shining-greatness of a king is in many people, but without people a prince has nothing.

29 He who is slow to get angry has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper makes his foolish way look right.

30 A heart that has peace is life to the body, but wrong desires are like the wasting away of the bones.

31 He who makes it hard for the poor brings shame to his Maker, but he who shows loving-favor to those in need honors Him.

32 The sinful is thrown down by his wrong-doing, but the man who is right with God has a safe place when he dies.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, but what is in the heart of fools is made known.

34 Being right with God makes a nation great, but sin is a shame to any people.

35 The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, but his anger is toward the one who brings shame by what he does.

15 A gentle answer turns away anger, but a sharp word causes anger.

The tongue of the wise uses much learning in a good way, but the mouth of fools speaks in a foolish way.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the bad and the good.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but a sinful tongue crushes the spirit.

A fool turns away from the strong teaching of his father, but he who remembers the strong words spoken to him is wise.

Great riches are in the house of those who are right with God, but trouble is what the sinful will receive.

The lips of the wise spread much learning, but the minds of fools do not.

The Lord hates the gifts of the sinful, but the prayer of the faithful is His joy.

The Lord hates the way of the sinful, but He loves him who follows what is right and good.

10 He who turns from the right way will be punished. He who hates strong words spoken to him will die.

11 The world of the dead lies open before the Lord. How much more the hearts of men!

12 A man who laughs at the truth has no love for the one who speaks strong words to him. He will not go to the wise.

13 A glad heart makes a happy face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

14 The mind of him who has understanding looks for much learning, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolish ways.

15 All the days of the suffering are hard, but a glad heart has a special supper all the time.

16 A little with the fear of the Lord is better than great riches with trouble.

17 A dish of vegetables with love is better than eating the best meat with hate.

18 A man with a bad temper starts fights, but he who is slow to anger quiets fighting.

19 The path of the lazy man is grown over with thorns, but the path of the faithful is a good road.

20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man hates his mother.

21 A foolish way is joy to him who has no wisdom, but a man of understanding walks straight.

22 Plans go wrong without talking together, but they will go well when many wise men talk about what to do.

23 To give a good answer is a joy to a man, and how pleasing is a word given at the right time!

24 The path of life leads up for the wise, so he may keep away from hell below.

25 The Lord will tear down the house of the proud, but He will make a place for the woman whose husband has died.

26 The Lord hates the plans of the sinful, but the words of the pure are pleasing to Him.

27 He who gets things by doing wrong brings trouble to his family, but he who will not be paid in secret for wrong-doing will live.

28 The mind of the one who is right with God thinks about how to answer, but the mouth of the sinful pours out sinful things.

29 The Lord is far from the sinful, but He hears the prayer of those who are right with Him.

30 The light of the eyes makes the heart glad. Good news puts fat on the bones.

31 He whose ear listens to careful words spoken will live among the wise.

32 He who does not listen to strong teaching hates himself, but he who listens when strong words are spoken gets understanding.

33 The fear of the Lord is the teaching for wisdom, and having no pride comes before honor.

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(A)

From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(B)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

Those who guard their lips(C) preserve their lives,(D)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(E)

A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(F)
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

The righteous hate what is false,(G)
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.

Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(H)

One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(I)
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(J)

A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(K)

The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(L)

10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(M)

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(N)
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(O)

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(P)
    but whoever respects(Q) a command is rewarded.(R)

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(S)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(T)

15 Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]

16 All who are prudent act with[b] knowledge,
    but fools expose(U) their folly.(V)

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,(W)
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.(X)

18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(Y)
    but whoever heeds correction is honored.(Z)

19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(AA)
    but fools detest turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.(AB)

21 Trouble pursues the sinner,(AC)
    but the righteous(AD) are rewarded with good things.(AE)

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(AF)

23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

24 Whoever spares the rod(AG) hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(AH) them.(AI)

25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(AJ)

14 The wise woman builds her house,(AK)
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(AL)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(AM)

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox(AN) come abundant harvests.

An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.(AO)

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(AP)

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(AQ)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(AR)

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,(AS)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.(AT)

12 There is a way that appears to be right,(AU)
    but in the end it leads to death.(AV)

13 Even in laughter(AW) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,(AX)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.(AY)

15 The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.(AZ)

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(BA)
    but a fool(BB) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 A quick-tempered person(BC) does foolish things,(BD)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(BE)

18 The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(BF)

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.(BG)

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(BH)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(BI)

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(BJ)
    But those who plan what is good find[c] love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.(BK)

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.(BL)

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(BM)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.(BN)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(BO)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(BP)

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.(BQ)

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(BR)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(BS)

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.(BT)

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(BU)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(BV)

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(BW)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(BX)

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(BY)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[d]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(BZ)
    but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(CA)

15 A gentle answer(CB) turns away wrath,(CC)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(CD)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(CE)

The eyes(CF) of the Lord are everywhere,(CG)
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.(CH)

The soothing tongue(CI) is a tree of life,(CJ)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.(CK)

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(CL)

The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(CM)
    but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(CN)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(CO)
    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

The Lord detests the sacrifice(CP) of the wicked,(CQ)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(CR)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,(CS)
    but he loves those who pursue righteousness.(CT)

10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
    the one who hates correction will die.(CU)

11 Death and Destruction[e] lie open before the Lord(CV)
    how much more do human hearts!(CW)

12 Mockers resent correction,(CX)
    so they avoid the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(CY)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(CZ)

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(DA)
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(DB)

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.(DC)

17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.(DD)

18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,(DE)
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.(DF)

19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(DG)
    but the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(DH)
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(DI)
    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,(DJ)
    but with many advisers(DK) they succeed.(DL)

23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply(DM)
    and how good is a timely word!(DN)

24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
    to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(DO)
    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(DP)

26 The Lord detests the thoughts(DQ) of the wicked,(DR)
    but gracious words are pure(DS) in his sight.

27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
    but the one who hates bribes will live.(DT)

28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,(DU)
    but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.(DV)

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(DW)

30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.(DX)

31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
    will be at home among the wise.(DY)

32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(DZ)
    but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(EA)

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(EB)
    and humility comes before honor.(EC)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
  2. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through
  3. Proverbs 14:22 Or show
  4. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
  5. Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon