King James Version KJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
2
A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
3
A man is not established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
4
A good wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
5
The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are treacherous.
6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
6
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers men.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
7
The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
8
A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of perverse mind is despised.
9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
9
Better is a man of humble standing who works for himself than one who plays the great man but lacks bread.
10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
10
A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
11
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits has no sense.
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
12
The strong tower of the wicked comes to ruin, but the root of the righteous stands firm.
13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
13
An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
14
From the fruit of his words a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
16
The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent man ignores an insult.
17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
17
He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
18
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
19
Truthful lips endure for ever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
20
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan good have joy.
21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
21
No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
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Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
23
A prudent man conceals his knowledge, but fools proclaim their folly.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
24
The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
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Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
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A righteous man turns away from evil, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
27
A slothful man will not catch his prey, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
28
In the path of righteousness is life, but the way of error leads to death.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.