Holman Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

1A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

1A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.

3The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

4The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.

4Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

5A fool despises his father's discipline, but a person who accepts correction is sensible.

5Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.

6The house of the righteous has great wealth, but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.

6There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.

7The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.

7The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

8The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.

10Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.

10Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD-- how much more, human hearts.

11Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!

12A mocker doesn't love one who corrects him; he will not consult the wise.

12Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise.

13A joyful heart makes a face cheerful, but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.

13A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.

14A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

14A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.

15All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

15For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.

16Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.

17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.

17A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to anger calms strife.

18A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.

19A slacker's way is like a thorny hedge, but the path of the upright is a highway.

19A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.

20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

20Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.

21Foolishness brings joy to one without sense, but a man with understanding walks a straight path.

21Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.

22Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.

23A man takes joy in giving an answer; and a timely word--how good that is!

23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

24For the discerning the path of life leads upward, so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

24The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind.

25The LORD destroys the house of the proud, but He protects the widow's territory.

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows.

26The LORD detests the plans of an evil man, but pleasant words are pure.

26The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.

27The one who profits dishonestly troubles his household, but the one who hates bribes will live.

27Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.

28The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.

28The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.

29The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

29The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.

30Bright eyes cheer the heart; good news strengthens the bones.

30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.

31One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise.

31If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.

32Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.

32If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.

33The fear of the LORD is what wisdom teaches, and humility comes before honor.

33Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

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.