23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,

and a word in season, how good it is!

24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent,

that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud

but maintains the widow’s boundaries.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,

but gracious words are pure.

27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,

but he who hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth:

And a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

24 The way of life is above to the wise,

That he may depart from hell beneath.

25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud:

But he will establish the border of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord:

But the words of the pure are pleasant words.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house;

But he that hateth gifts shall live.

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer:

But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;

it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

24 The path of life leads upward for the wise;

they leave the grave behind.

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,

but he protects the property of widows.

26 The Lord detests evil plans,

but he delights in pure words.

27 Greed brings grief to the whole family,

but those who hate bribes will live.

28 The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;

the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.

23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,

And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

24 The way of life winds upward for the wise,

That he may turn away from hell below.

25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud,

But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,

But the words of the pure are pleasant.

27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,

But he who hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,

But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

23 People enjoy giving good advice.

Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing.

24 Wise people’s lives get better and better.

They avoid whatever would cause their death.

25 The Lord will tear down the proud person’s house,

but he will protect the widow’s property.

26 The Lord hates evil thoughts

but is pleased with kind words.

27 Greedy people bring trouble to their families,

but the person who can’t be paid to do wrong will live.

28 Good people think before they answer,

but the wicked simply pour out evil.

23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth;

And a word in due season, how good is it!

24 To the wise the way of life goeth upward,

That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

25 Jehovah will root up the house of the proud;

But he will establish the border of the widow.

26 Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah;

But pleasant words are pure.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house;

But he that hateth bribes shall live.

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer;

But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word in its season, how good is it!

24 The path of life is upwards for the wise, that he may depart from Sheol beneath.

25 Jehovah plucketh up the house of the proud; but he establisheth the boundary of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the evil man are an abomination to Jehovah; but pure words are pleasant.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

28 The heart of a righteous man studieth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

23 A person is delighted to hear an answer from his own mouth, 

and a timely word—oh, how good! 

24 The path of life for a wise person leads upward 

in order to turn him away from hell below. 

25 The Lord tears down the house of an arrogant person, 

but he protects the property of widows. 

26 The thoughts of evil people are disgusting to the Lord, 

but pleasant words are pure to him. 

27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble to his family, 

but whoever hates bribes will live. 

28 The heart of a righteous person carefully considers how to answer, 

but the mouths of wicked people pour out a flood of evil things. 

23 A man takes joy in giving an answer;

and a timely word—how good that is!

24 For the discerning the path of life leads upward,

so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

25 The Lord destroys the house of the proud,

but He protects the widow’s territory.

26 The Lord detests the plans of an evil man,

but pleasant words are pure.

27 The one who profits dishonestly troubles his household,

but the one who hates bribes will live.

28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,

but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.

23 To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,

and a word in season, how good it is!

24 For the wise the path of life leads upward,

in order to avoid Sheol below.

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,

but maintains the widow’s boundaries.

26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,

but gracious words are pure.

27 Those who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,

but those who hate bribes will live.

28 The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,

but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.

23 Joy belongs to a man with answers in his mouth,

and a word in its time, how good it is!

24 The path of life leads upward for him who has insight,

in order to turn away from Sheol below.

25 The house of the proud, Yahweh will tear it down,

but he will maintain the property line of the widow.

26 Plans of evil are an abomination of Yahweh,

but gracious words are pure.

27 He who makes trouble for his house is he who is greedy for unjust gain,

but he who hates bribes will live.

28 A heart of righteousness will ponder the answer,

but a mouth of wickedness will pour out deceit.

23 Joy is found in giving the right answer.

And how good is a word spoken at the right time!

24 The path of life leads up for those who are wise.

It keeps them from going down to the grave.

25 The Lord tears down the proud person’s house.

But he keeps the widow’s property safe.

26 The Lord hates the thoughts of sinful people.

But the thoughts of pure people are pleasing to him.

27 Anyone who always wants more brings trouble to his family.

But a person who refuses to be paid off will live.

28 The hearts of those who do right think about how they will answer.

But the mouths of those who do wrong pour out evil.

23 A man has joy in an apt answer,

And how delightful is a timely word!

24 The path of life leads upward for the wise

That he may keep away from Sheol below.

25 The Lord will tear down the house of the proud,

But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,

But pleasant words are pure.

27 He who profits illicitly troubles his own house,

But he who hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.