International Standard Version

Berean Study Bible

1A gentle response diverts anger, but a harsh statement incites fury.

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

2The wise speak, presenting knowledge appropriately, but fools spout foolishness.

2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing both the evil and the good.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.

4A gentle statement is a tree of life, but perverted speech shatters the spirit.

4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5A fool rejects his father's instructions, but anyone who respects reproof acts sensibly.

5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

6The righteous house is itself a great treasure, but within the revenue of the wicked calamity is at work.

6The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.

7What the wise have to say disseminates knowledge, but it's not in the heart of fools to do so.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.

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

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

9The lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but he loves those who ardently pursue righteousness.

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

10Severe punishment awaits anyone who wanders off the path— anyone who despises reproof will die.

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

11Since Sheol and Abaddon lie open in the LORD's presence, how much more the hearts of human beings!

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!

12The arrogant mocker never loves the one who corrects him; he will not inquire of the wise.

12A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.

13A happy heart enlightens the face, but a sad heart reflects a broken spirit.

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

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

14A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15The entire life of the afflicted seems disastrous, but a good heart feasts continuously.

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

16Better is a little accompanied by fear of the LORD than abundant wealth with turmoil.

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

17A vegetarian meal served with love is better than a big, thick steak with a plateful of animosity.

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

18The quickly angered man stirs up contention, but anyone who controls his temper calms a dispute.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

19The lifestyle of the lazy is like a thorny hedge, but the path taken by the upright is an open highway.

19The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

20A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.

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

21Stupidity is the delight of the senseless, but an understanding man walks uprightly.

21Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

22Plans fail without advice, but with many counselors they are confirmed.

22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

23An appropriate answer brings joy to a person, and a well-timed word is a good thing.

23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!

24The way of life leads upward for the wise so he may avoid Sheol below.

24The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

25The house of the proud the LORD will demolish, but he will protect the widow's boundary line.

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.

26To the LORD evil plans are detestable, but pleasant words are pure.

26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.

27Those who are greedy for unjust gain bring trouble into their homes, but the person who hates bribes will live.

27He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

28The mind of the righteous thinks before speaking, but the wicked person spews out evil.

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

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

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

30Bright eyes encourage the heart; good news nourishes the body.

30The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.

31Whoever listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

31He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

32Whoever ignores instruction hates himself, but anyone who heeds reproof gains understanding.

32He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

33The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom, and humility precedes honor.

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

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

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