American Standard Version ASV
New International Version NIV
1 A wise son [heareth] his father's instruction; But a scoffer heareth not rebuke.
1
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; But the soul of the treacherous [shall eat] violence.
2
From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; [But] he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
3
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
4
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 A righteous man hateth lying; But a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
5
The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guardeth him that is upright in the way; But wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
6
Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth.
7
One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches; But the poor heareth no threatening.
8
A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth; But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
9
The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 By pride cometh only contention; But with the well-advised is wisdom.
10
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; But he that gathereth by labor shall have increase.
11
Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Whoso despiseth the word bringeth destruction on himself; But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
13
Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death.
14
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth favor; But the way of the transgressor is hard.
15
Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
16 Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth [his] folly.
16
All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil; But a faithful ambassador is health.
17
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth correction; But he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.
18
Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul; But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
19
A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise; But the companion of fools shall smart for it.
20
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Evil pursueth sinners; But the righteous shall be recompensed with good.
21
Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children; And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.
22
A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
23 Much food [is in] the tillage of the poor; But there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.
23
An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son; But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
24
Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul; But the belly of the wicked shall want.
25
The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.