New King James Version NKJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 A soft 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 uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
2
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.
3
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
4
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
5
A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who heeds admonition is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
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 disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.
7
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 His delight.
8
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 follows righteousness.
9
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.
10
There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; he who hates reproof will die.
11 Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.
11
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, how much more the hearts of men!
12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.
12
A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
13
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 mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
14
The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
15
All the days of the afflicted are evil, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.
16
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 fatted calf with hatred.
17
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.
18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way 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 makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
20
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
21
Folly is a joy to him who has no sense, but a man of understanding walks aright.
22 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
22
Without counsel plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
23
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
24 The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.
24
The wise man's path leads upward to life, that he may avoid Sheol beneath.
25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
25
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 the words of the pure are pleasant.
26
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, the words of the pure are pleasing to him.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he 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 studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth 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 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.
30
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.
31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.
31
He whose ear heeds wholesome admonition will abide among the wise.
32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
32
He who ignores instruction despises himself, but he who heeds admonition gains understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
33
The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor.