1 W hoever loves strong teaching loves much learning, but he who hates strong words is foolish.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The wicked are overthrown and are not, but the house of the righteous shall stand.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The wicked desire the booty of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields.

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

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

14 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.

From 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.

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

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

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

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

17 H e who speaks the truth tells what is right, but a liar tells lies.

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

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

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

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

Truthful lips shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

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

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

21 N o trouble comes upon those who are right with God, but the sinful are filled with trouble.

No evil, misfortune, or calamity shall come upon the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil, misfortune, and calamity.

22 T he Lord hates lying lips, but those who speak the truth are His joy.

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

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

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

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

The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Life 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).