| Holman Christian Standard (CSB) | New International Version (NIV) |
| 1 Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. | 1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. |
| 2 Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him. | 2 He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him. |
| 3 The proud speech of a fool [brings] a rod [of discipline], but the lips of the wise protect them. | 3 A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. |
| 4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding-trough is empty, but an abundant harvest [comes] through the strength of an ox. | 4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest. |
| 5 An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness utters lies. | 5 A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. |
| 6 A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn't find it, but knowledge [comes] easily to the perceptive. | 6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. |
| 7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. | 7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips. |
| 8 The sensible man's wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives [them]. | 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. |
| 9 Fools mock at making restitution, but there is goodwill among the upright. | 9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. |
| 10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no outsider shares in its joy. | 10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. |
| 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will stand. | 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. |
| 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. | 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. |
| 13 Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief. | 13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief. |
| 14 The disloyal will get what their conduct deserves, and a good man, what his [deeds deserve.] | 14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his. |
| 15 The inexperienced believe anything, but the sensible watch their steps. | 15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. |
| 16 A wise man is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool is easily angered and is careless. | 16 A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. |
| 17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man who schemes is hated. | 17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated. |
| 18 The gullible inherit foolishness, but the sensible are crowned with knowledge. | 18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. |
| 19 The evil bow before those who are good, the wicked, at the gates of the righteous. | 19 Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. |
| 20 A poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but there are many who love the rich. | 20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. |
| 21 The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy. | 21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. |
| 22 Don't those who plan evil go astray? But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness. | 22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. |
| 23 There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty. | 23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. |
| 24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness. | 24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly. |
| 25 A truthful witness rescues lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful. | 25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. |
| 26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge. | 26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. |
| 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death. | 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. |
| 28 A large population is a king's splendor, but a shortage of people is a ruler's devastation. | 28 A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined. |
| 29 A patient person [shows] great understanding, but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness. | 29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. |
| 30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones. | 30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. |
| 31 The one who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, but one who is kind to the needy honors Him. | 31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. |
| 32 The wicked are thrown down by their own sin, but the righteous have a refuge when they die. | 32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge. |
| 33 Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning; she is known even among fools. | 33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. |
| 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. | 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
| 35 A king favors a wise servant, but his anger falls on a disgraceful one. | 35 A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath. |
| Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Holman Christian Standard Bible Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |