1 W hoever loves instruction and correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is like a brute beast, stupid and indiscriminating.

Whoever loves strong teaching loves much learning, but he who hates strong words is foolish.

2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked devices He condemns.

A good man will get favor from the Lord, but He will punish a man who makes sinful plans.

3 A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall never be moved.

A man will not stand by doing what is wrong, but the root of those who are right with God will not be moved.

4 A virtuous and worthy wife is a crowning joy to her husband, but she who makes him ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

A good wife is the pride and joy of her husband, but she who brings shame is like cancer to his bones.

5 T he thoughts and purposes of the righteous are honest and reliable, but the counsels and designs of the wicked are treacherous.

The thoughts of those who are right with God can be trusted, but the words of the sinful are false.

6 T he words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them and the innocent ones.

The words of the sinful lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the faithful will take them away from trouble.

7 T he wicked are overthrown and are not, but the house of the righteous shall stand.

The sinful are destroyed and are no more, but the house of those who are right with God will stand.

8 A man shall be commended according to his Wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

A man will be praised for his wisdom, but a man with a sinful mind will be hated.

9 B etter is he who is lightly esteemed but works for his own support than he who assumes honor for himself and lacks bread.

A man who has only a little honor and has a servant is better than one who honors himself and does not have bread.

10 A righteous man regards the life of his beast, but even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

A man who is right with God cares for his animal, but the sinful man is hard and has no pity.

11 H e who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits is lacking in sense and is without understanding.

He who works his land will have all the bread he needs, but he who follows what is of no worth has no wisdom.

12 T he wicked desire the booty of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields.

The sinful man wants what sinful men have, but the root of those who are right with God gives fruit.

13 T he wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.

A sinful man is trapped by the sin of his lips, but those who are right with God will get away from trouble.

14 F rom the fruit of his words a man shall be satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hands shall come back to him.

A man will be filled with good from the fruit of his words, and the work of a man’s hands will return to him.

15 T he way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to good teaching.

16 A fool’s wrath is quickly and openly known, but a prudent man ignores an insult.

The anger of a fool is known at once, but a wise man does not speak when he is spoken against.

17 H e who breathes out truth shows forth righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), but a false witness utters deceit.

He who speaks the truth tells what is right, but a liar tells lies.

18 T here are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

There is one whose foolish words cut like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 T ruthful lips shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Lips that tell the truth will last forever, but a lying tongue lasts only for a little while.

20 D eceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but for the counselors of peace there is joy.

Lying is in the heart of those who plan what is bad, but those who plan peace have joy.

21 N o evil, misfortune, or calamity shall come upon the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil, misfortune, and calamity.

No trouble comes upon those who are right with God, but the sinful are filled with trouble.

22 L ying lips are extremely disgusting and hateful to the Lord, but they who deal faithfully are His delight.

The Lord hates lying lips, but those who speak the truth are His joy.

23 A prudent man is reluctant to display his knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims their folly.

A wise man hides how much learning he has, but the heart of fools makes known their foolish way.

24 T he hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.

The hand of those who do their best will rule, but the lazy hand will be made to work.

25 A nxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.

Worry in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.

26 T he righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked causes others to go astray.

The man who is right with God is a teacher to his neighbor, but the way of the sinful leads them the wrong way.

27 T he slothful man does not catch his game or roast it once he kills it, but the diligent man gets precious possessions.

The lazy man will not cook the food he has caught, but the man who does his best has what is of great worth.

28 L ife is in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), and in its pathway there is no death but immortality (perpetual, eternal life).

Life is in the way of those who are right with God, and in its path there is no death.