English Standard Version ESV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
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A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
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The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
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The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
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A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
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A fool despises a parent's instruction, but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
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In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
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The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the minds of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
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The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
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The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.
10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.
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There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way, but one who hates a rebuke will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man!
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Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, how much more human hearts!
12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
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Scoffers do not like to be rebuked; they will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
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A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
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The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
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All the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
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Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
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Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
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Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife, but those who are slow to anger calm contention.
19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
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The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
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A wise child makes a glad father, but the foolish despise their mothers.
21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
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Folly is a joy to one who has no sense, but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.
22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
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Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
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To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone, 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.
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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.
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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.
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Evil plans 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.
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Those who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households, but those who hate bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
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The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
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The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.
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The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the body.
31 The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
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The ear that heeds wholesome admonition will lodge among the wise.
32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
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Those who ignore instruction despise themselves, but those who heed admonition gain understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
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The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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.