English Standard Version

New Living Translation

1The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.

1A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

2Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.

2Those who follow the right path fear the LORD; those who take the wrong path despise him.

3By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

3A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.

4Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

4Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

5A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

5An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.

6A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

6A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

7Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

7Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.

8The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

9Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.

9Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.

10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.

10Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.

11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish.

12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

12There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

13Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

14The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.

14Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.

15The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

15Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.

16One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

16The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

17A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

17Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.

18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

18Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

19Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.

20The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.

20The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.”

21Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

21It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.

22Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.

22If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.

23In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

23Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!

24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.

24Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.

26In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.

26Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

27Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.

28In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.

28A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing.

29Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

29People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

30A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

30A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

31Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

31Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.

32The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death.

32The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.

33Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.

34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

34Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

35A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

35A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.