King James Version KJV
Good News Translation GNT
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
1
A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
2
When wise people speak, they make knowledge attractive, but stupid people spout nonsense.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
3
The Lord sees what happens everywhere; he is watching us, whether we do good or evil.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
4
Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
5
It is foolish to ignore what your parents taught you; it is wise to accept their correction.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
6
Righteous people keep their wealth, but the wicked lose theirs when hard times come.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
7
Knowledge is spread by people who are wise, not by fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
8
The Lord is pleased when good people pray, but hates the sacrifices that the wicked bring him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
9
The Lord hates the ways of evil people, but loves those who do what is right.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
10
If you do what is wrong, you will be severely punished; you will die if you do not let yourself be corrected.
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
11
Not even the world of the dead can keep the Lord from knowing what is there; how then can we hide our thoughts from God?
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
12
Conceited people do not like to be corrected; they never ask for advice from those who are wiser.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
13
When people are happy, they smile, but when they are sad, they look depressed.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
14
Intelligent people want to learn, but stupid people are satisfied with ignorance.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
15
The life of the poor is a constant struggle, but happy people always enjoy life.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
16
Better to be poor and fear the Lord than to be rich and in trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
17
Better to eat vegetables with people you love than to eat the finest meat where there is hate.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
18
Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
19
If you are lazy, you will meet difficulty everywhere, but if you are honest, you will have no trouble.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
20
Wise children make their fathers happy. Only fools despise their mothers.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
21
Stupid people are happy with their foolishness, but the wise will do what is right.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
22
Get all the advice you can, and you will succeed; without it you will fail.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
23
What a joy it is to find just the right word for the right occasion!
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
24
Wise people walk the road that leads upward to life, not the road that leads downward to death.
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
25
The Lord will destroy the homes of arrogant men, but he will protect a widow's property.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
26
The Lord hates evil thoughts, but he is pleased with friendly words.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
27
Try to make a profit dishonestly, and you get your family in trouble. Don't take bribes and you will live longer.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
28
Good people think before they answer. Evil people have a quick reply, but it causes trouble.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
29
When good people pray, the Lord listens, but he ignores those who are evil.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
30
Smiling faces make you happy, and good news makes you feel better.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
31
If you pay attention when you are corrected, you are wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
32
If you refuse to learn, you are hurting yourself. If you accept correction, you will become wiser.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
33
Reverence for the Lord is an education in itself. You must be humble before you can ever receive honors.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.