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

Read full chapter

19 Better to be poor and honest
    than to be dishonest and a fool.

Read full chapter

Saying 14

15 My son, if your heart is wise,
    then my heart will be glad indeed;
16 my inmost being will rejoice
    when your lips speak what is right.(A)

Read full chapter

15 My child,[a] if your heart is wise,
    my own heart will rejoice!
16 Everything in me will celebrate
    when you speak what is right.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 23:15 Hebrew My son; also in 23:19.

Saying 20

24 Do not envy(A) the wicked,
    do not desire their company;
for their hearts plot violence,(B)
    and their lips talk about making trouble.(C)

Read full chapter

24 Don’t envy evil people
    or desire their company.
For their hearts plot violence,
    and their words always stir up trouble.

Read full chapter

Like the useless legs of one who is lame
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(A)

Read full chapter

A proverb in the mouth of a fool
    is as useless as a paralyzed leg.

Read full chapter