New International Version NIV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
1 Wisdom builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.
2 Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
2 He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.
3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.
3 The talk of a fool is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.
4 Where there are no oxen, there is no grain; but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
5 An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
7 Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
7 Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
8 The wisdom of a prudent man is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
9 God scorns the wicked, but the upright enjoy his favor.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sad, and the end of joy is grief.
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.
14 A perverse man will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man with the fruit of his deeds.
15 The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.
15 The simple believes everything, but the prudent looks where he is going.
16 The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
16 A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool throws off restraint and is careless.
17 A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.
17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly, but a man of discretion is patient.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
18 The simple acquire folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
19 The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.
21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
21 He who despises his neighbor is a sinner, but happy is he who is kind to the poor.
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? Those who devise good meet loyalty and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to want.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
24 The crown of the wise is their wisdom, but folly is the garland of fools.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is a betrayer.
26 Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.
26 In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.
28 A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
28 In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.
29 Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
30 A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh, but passion makes the bones rot.
31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
31 He who oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.
32 The wicked is overthrown through his evil-doing, but the righteous finds refuge through his integrity.
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.
33 Wisdom abides in the mind of a man of understanding, but it is not known in the heart of fools.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.
35 A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
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.
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.