King James Version KJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
1
Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
2
A slave who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
3
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tries hearts.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
4
An evildoer listens to wicked lips; and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
5
He who mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
6
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of sons is their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
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Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
8
A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
9
He who forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter alienates a friend.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
10
A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
11
An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
12
Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
13
If a man returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
14
The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
15
He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
16
Why should a fool have a price in his hand to buy wisdom, when he has no mind?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
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A man without sense gives a pledge, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
19
He who loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
20
A man of crooked mind does not prosper, and one with a perverse tongue falls into calamity.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
21
A stupid son is a grief to a father; and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
22
A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
23
A wicked man accepts a bribe from the bosom to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
24
A man of understanding sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
25
A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
26
To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good; to flog noble men is wrong.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
27
He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
28
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
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.