2 The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable,But the [babbling] 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.
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.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
4 A gentle statement is a tree of life, but perverted speech shatters the spirit.
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.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
5 A fool rejects his father's instructions, but anyone who respects reproof acts sensibly.
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].
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.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain];But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so.
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.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,But the prayer of the upright is His delight!(C)
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.
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].
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 lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but he loves those who ardently pursue righteousness.
10 There is severe discipline for him who (a)turns from the way [of righteousness];And he who hates correction will die.
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.
11 Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the place of eternal punishment) lie open before the Lord—How much more the hearts and inner motives of the children of men.(D)
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
11 Since Sheol and Abaddon lie open in the LORD's presence, how much more the hearts of human beings!
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].
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
12 The arrogant mocker never loves the one who corrects him; he will not inquire of the wise.
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)
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 happy heart enlightens the face, but a sad heart reflects a broken spirit.
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)
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity.
15 All the days of the afflicted are bad,But a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances].
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.
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.
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 The lifestyle of the lazy is like a thorny hedge, but the path taken by the upright is an open highway.
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)
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.
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!
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
23 An appropriate answer brings joy to a person, and a well-timed word is a good thing.
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)
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.
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.
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 house of the proud the LORD will demolish, but he will protect the widow's boundary line.
26 Evil plans and thoughts of the wicked are exceedingly vile and offensive to the Lord,But pure words are pleasant words to Him.
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 To the LORD evil plans are detestable, but pleasant words are pure.
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)
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.
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)
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.
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].
29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
29 The LORD is far away from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
31 The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure)Will remain among the wise.
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 Whoever listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.
32 He who neglects and ignores instruction and discipline despises himself,But he who learns from rebuke acquires understanding [and grows in wisdom].
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.
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.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
33 The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom, and humility precedes honor.
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