28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent—
discerning, when he seals his lips.(A)

Read full chapter

28 Even a fool who keeps silent shall be considered wise;[a]
    he who closes his lips is intelligent.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:28 Literally “wise, he shall be considered”

28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
    and discerning if they hold their tongues.(A)

Read full chapter

A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions.[a](A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 18:2 Lit to uncover his heart

A fool will not take pleasure in understanding,
    but in expressing his heart.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:2 Or “mind”

Fools find no pleasure in understanding
    but delight in airing their own opinions.(A)

Read full chapter

A fool’s lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating.(A)

A fool’s mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life.(B)

Read full chapter

The lips of a fool will bring strife,
    and his mouth calls out for a flogging.
The mouth of a fool is ruin to him,
    and his lips are a snare to his soul.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:7 Or “life,” or “inner self”

The lips of fools bring them strife,
    and their mouths invite a beating.(A)

The mouths of fools are their undoing,
    and their lips are a snare(B) to their very lives.(C)

Read full chapter

19 Better a poor person who lives with integrity(A)
than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.

Read full chapter

19 Better a poor person walking in integrity
    than one who is perverse in his speech[a] and is a fool.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:1 Literally “in his lips”

19 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than a fool whose lips are perverse.(A)

Read full chapter

10 Luxury is not appropriate for a fool(A)
how much less for a slave to rule over princes!(B)

Read full chapter

10 For a fool living in luxury is not fitting,
    any more than it is for a slave to rule over princes.

Read full chapter

10 It is not fitting for a fool(A) to live in luxury—
    how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!(B)

Read full chapter

29 Judgments are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.(A)

Read full chapter

29 Judgments[a] are prepared for the scoffers,
    and flogging for the back of fools.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:29 Or “Punishments,” or “Condemnations”

29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
    and beatings for the backs of fools.(A)

Read full chapter

Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute,(A)
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.(B)

Read full chapter

It is honorable for the man to refrain from strife,
    but every fool will be quick to quarrel.

Read full chapter

It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool(A) is quick to quarrel.(B)

Read full chapter

Don’t speak to[a] a fool,
for he will despise the insight of your words.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 23:9 Lit in the ears of

In the ears of a fool do not speak,
    for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Read full chapter

Saying 10

Do not speak to fools,
    for they will scorn your prudent words.(A)

Read full chapter

Wisdom is inaccessible to[a] a fool;(A)
he does not open his mouth at the city gate.(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 24:7 Lit is too high for

Wisdom is too high for fools;
    at the gate he will not open his mouth.

Read full chapter

Saying 23

Wisdom is too high for fools;
    in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.

Read full chapter