New International Version NIV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
2 The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who heeds admonition is prudent.
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
6 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, but the hearts of fools are not upright.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the minds of fools.
8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.
10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; he who hates reproof will die.
11 Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more do human hearts!
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, how much more the hearts of men!
12 Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.
12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
14 The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the LORDthan great wealth with turmoil.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.
18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
19 The way of a sluggard is overgrown with thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
21 Folly is a joy to him who has no sense, but a man of understanding walks aright.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
22 Without counsel plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
24 The wise man's path leads upward to life, that he may avoid Sheol beneath.
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but maintains the widow's boundaries.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, the words of the pure are pleasing to him.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
27 He who is greedy for unjust gain makes trouble for his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
28 The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
31 He whose ear heeds wholesome admonition will abide among the wise.
32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
32 He who ignores instruction despises himself, but he who heeds admonition gains understanding.
33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.
33 The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor.
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.