1 W hoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

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

2 A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh, but he will condemn a man of wicked devices.

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 not 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 worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife 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 of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

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 are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

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 no more, 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 has a warped mind 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, and has a servant, than he who honors 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 respects the life of his animal, but 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 have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of 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 desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.

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

13 A n evil man is trapped by sinfulness of 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 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded 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 is wise listens to counsel.

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

16 A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

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 is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.

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

18 T here is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.

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

19 T ruth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.

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

20 D eceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.

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

21 N o mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.

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

22 L ying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight.

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

23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

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

24 T he hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave 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 a kind word makes it glad.

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

26 A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them 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 doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.

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 I n the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.

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