Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked
1One who loves Or instructiondiscipline loves knowledge,
But one who hates rebuke is stupid.
2A good person will obtain favor from the Lord,
But He will condemn a person Lit of evil deviceswho devises evil.
3A person will not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous will not be moved.
4An Or virtuousexcellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.
5The thoughts of the righteous are just,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6The words of the wicked wait in ambush for blood,
But the mouth of the upright will rescue them.
7The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.
8A person will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse Lit heartmind will be despised.
9Better is one who is lightly esteemed and has a servant,
Than one who honors himself and lacks bread.
10A righteous person has regard for the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11One who works his land will have plenty of bread,
But one who pursues worthless things lacks Lit heartsense.
12The wicked person desires the Lit net (for trapping prey); another reading is mountain strongholdplunder of evil people,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13
Lit In the offense of the lips is an evil snare
An evil person is ensnared by the offense of his lips,
But the righteous will escape from trouble.
14A person will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his Lit mouthwords,
And the deeds of a person’s hands will return to him.
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a person who listens to advice is wise.
16A fool’s anger is known at once,
But a prudent person conceals dishonor.
17One who declares truth tells what is right,
But a false witness, deceit.
18There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19Truthful lips will endure forever,
But a lying tongue is only for a moment.
20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
21No harm happens to the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with trouble.
22Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23A prudent person conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the Lit idlelazy hand will be put to forced labor.
25Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
But a good word makes it glad.
26The righteous person is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
But the precious possession of a person is diligence.
28In the way of righteousness there is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.
New American Standard Bible
Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020
by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
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