1 A (A)gentle answer turns away wrath,But a (a)(B)harsh word stirs up anger.

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

1 A gentle answer turns away anger,(A)but a harsh word stirs up wrath.(B)

1 A gentle response diverts anger, but a harsh statement incites fury.

1 A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath,But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.(A)

2 The (C)tongue of the wise makes knowledge (b)acceptable,But the (D)mouth of fools spouts folly.

2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.(C)

2 The wise speak, presenting knowledge appropriately, but fools spout foolishness.

2 The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable,But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.

3 The (E)eyes of the Lord are in every place,Watching the evil and the good.

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,observing the wicked and the good.(D)

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing both the evil and the good.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,Watching the evil and the good [in all their endeavors].(B)

4 A (c)soothing tongue is a tree of life,But perversion in it (d)crushes the spirit.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life,(E)but a devious tongue(a) breaks the spirit.

4 A gentle statement is a tree of life, but perverted speech shatters the spirit.

4 A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life,But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.

5 A fool (e)rejects his father’s discipline,But he who regards reproof is sensible.

5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

5 A fool despises his father’s discipline,but a person who accepts correction is sensible.(F)

5 A fool rejects his father's instructions, but anyone who respects reproof acts sensibly.

5 A [flippant, arrogant] fool rejects his father’s instruction and correction,But he who [is willing to learn and] regards and keeps in mind a reprimand acquires good sense.

6 Great wealth is in the house of the (F)righteous,But trouble is in the income of the wicked.

6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

6 The house of the righteous has great wealth,but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.

6 The righteous house is itself a great treasure, but within the revenue of the wicked calamity is at work.

6 Great and priceless treasure is in the house of the [consistently] righteous one [who seeks godly instruction and grows in wisdom],But trouble is in the income of the wicked one [who rejects the laws of God].

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,But the hearts of fools are not so.

7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

7 The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,but not so the heart of fools.

7 What the wise have to say disseminates knowledge, but it's not in the heart of fools to do so.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain];But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so.

8 The (G)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,But (H)the prayer of the upright is His delight.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,(G)but the prayer of the upright is His delight.(H)

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,But the prayer of the upright is His delight!(C)

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,But He loves one who (I)pursues righteousness.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.(I)

9 The lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but he loves those who ardently pursue righteousness.

9 The way [of life] of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,But He loves one who pursues righteousness [personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character].

10 Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way;He who hates reproof will die.

10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

10 Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;the one who hates correction will die.

10 Severe punishment awaits anyone who wanders off the path anyone who despises reproof will die.

10 There is severe discipline for him who (a)turns from the way [of righteousness];And he who hates correction will die.

11 (f)(J)Sheol and (g)Abaddon lie open before the Lord,How much more the (K)hearts of (h)men!

11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord(J)how much more, human hearts.(K)

11 Since Sheol and Abaddon lie open in the LORD's presence, how much more the hearts of human beings!

11 Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the place of eternal punishment) lie open before the LordHow much more the hearts and inner motives of the children of men.(D)

12 A (L)scoffer does not love one who reproves him,He will not go to the wise.

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

12 A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;(L)he will not consult the wise.

12 The arrogant mocker never loves the one who corrects him; he will not inquire of the wise.

12 A scoffer [unlike a wise man] resents one who rebukes him and tries to teach him;Nor will he go to the wise [for counsel and instruction].

13 A (M)joyful heart makes a (i)cheerful face,But (j)when the heart is (N)sad, the (O)spirit is broken.

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.(M)

13 A happy heart enlightens the face, but a sad heart reflects a broken spirit.

13 A heart full of joy and goodness makes a cheerful face,But when a heart is full of sadness the spirit is crushed.(E)

14 The (P)mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge,(N)but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.(O)

14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity.

14 The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it,But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness.(F)

15 All the days of the afflicted are bad,But a (k)cheerful heart has a continual feast.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

15 The entire life of the afflicted seems disastrous, but a good heart feasts continuously.

15 All the days of the afflicted are bad,But a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances].

16 (Q)Better is a little with the (l)fear of the LordThan great treasure and turmoil with it.

16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lordthan great treasure with turmoil.(P)

16 Better is a little accompanied by fear of the LORD than abundant wealth with turmoil.

16 Better is a little with the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the LordThan great treasure and trouble with it.(G)

17 (R)Better is a (m)dish of (n)vegetables where love isThan a (S)fattened ox served with hatred.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is lovethan a fattened ox(Q) with hatred.(R)

17 A vegetarian meal served with love is better than a big, thick steak with a plateful of animosity.

17 Better is a dinner of vegetables and herbs where love is presentThan a fattened ox served with hatred.(H)

18 A (T)hot-tempered man stirs up strife,But the (U)slow to anger (V)calms a dispute.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict,(S)but a man slow to anger(T) calms strife.

18 The quickly angered man stirs up contention, but anyone who controls his temper calms a dispute.

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,But he who is slow to anger and patient calms disputes.

19 The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns,But the path of the upright is a highway.

19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,but the path of the upright is a highway.(U)

19 The lifestyle of the lazy is like a thorny hedge, but the path taken by the upright is an open highway.

19 The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him],But the way [of life] of the upright is smooth and open like a highway.

A Wise Son Brings Blessings To Others

20 A (W)wise son makes a father glad,But a foolish man (X)despises his mother.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

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

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

20 A wise son makes a father glad,But a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him who lacks (o)sense,But a man of understanding (Y)walks straight.

21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

21 Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,but a man with understanding walks a straight path.(W)

21 Stupidity is the delight of the senseless, but an understanding man walks uprightly.

21 Foolishness is joy to him who is without heart and lacks [intelligent, common] sense,But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight].(I)

22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated,But with many counselors they (p)succeed.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,but with many advisers they succeed.(X)

22 Plans fail without advice, but with many counselors they are confirmed.

22 Without consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated,But with many counselors they are established and succeed.

23 A (Z)man has joy in an (q)apt answer,And how delightful is a timely (AA)word!

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

23 A man takes joy in giving an answer;(b)and a timely word—how good that is!(Y)

23 An appropriate answer brings joy to a person, and a well-timed word is a good thing.

23 A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer,And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!

24 The (AB)path of life leads upward for the wiseThat he may keep away from (r)Sheol below.

24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

24 For the discerning the path of life leads upward,so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

24 The way of life leads upward for the wise so he may avoid Sheol below.

24 The [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise,That he may keep away from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) below.(J)

25 The Lord will (AC)tear down the house of the proud,But He will (AD)establish the boundary of the (AE)widow.

25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

25 The Lord destroys the house of the proud,but He protects the widow’s territory.(Z)

25 The house of the proud the LORD will demolish, but he will protect the widow's boundary line.

25 The Lord will tear down the house of the proud and arrogant (self-righteous),But He will establish and protect the boundaries [of the land] of the [godly] widow.

26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,But pleasant words are pure.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

26 The Lord detests the plans of an evil man,but pleasant words are pure.(AA)

26 To the LORD evil plans are detestable, but pleasant words are pure.

26 Evil plans and thoughts of the wicked are exceedingly vile and offensive to the Lord,But pure words are pleasant words to Him.

27 He who (AF)profits illicitly troubles his own house,But he who (AG)hates bribes will live.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

27 The one who profits dishonestly(AB) troubles his household,but the one who hates bribes will live.(AC)

27 Those who are greedy for unjust gain bring trouble into their homes, but the person who hates bribes will live.

27 He who profits unlawfully brings suffering to his own house,But he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will live.(K)

28 The heart of the righteous (AH)ponders how to answer,But the (AI)mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,(AD)but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.(AE)

28 The mind of the righteous thinks before speaking, but the wicked person spews out evil.

28 The heart of the righteous thinks carefully about how to answer [in a wise and appropriate and timely way],But the [babbling] mouth of the wicked pours out malevolent things.(L)

29 The Lord is (AJ)far from the wicked,But He (AK)hears the prayer of the righteous.

29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,(AF)but He hears the prayer of the righteous.(AG)

29 The LORD is far away from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked [and distances Himself from them],But He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous [that is, those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].

30 (s)Bright eyes gladden the heart;Good news puts fat on the bones.

30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

30 Bright eyes cheer the heart;good news strengthens(c) the bones.(AH)

30 Bright eyes encourage the heart; good news nourishes the body.

30 The light of the eyes rejoices the hearts of others,And good news puts fat on the bones.

31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproofWill dwell among the wise.

31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

31 One who(d) listens to life-giving rebukes(AI)will be at home among the wise.

31 Whoever listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

31 The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure)Will remain among the wise.

32 He who (AL)neglects discipline (AM)despises himself,But he who (AN)listens to reproof acquires (t)understanding.

32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

32 Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,(AJ)but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.(e)(AK)

32 Whoever ignores instruction hates himself, but anyone who heeds reproof gains understanding.

32 He who neglects and ignores instruction and discipline despises himself,But he who learns from rebuke acquires understanding [and grows in wisdom].

33 The (u)fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,And before honor comes humility.

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

33 The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,and humility comes before honor.(AL) >

33 The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom, and humility precedes honor.

33 The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence];And before honor comes humility.

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