International Standard Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

1Every wise woman builds up her household, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

1The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

2Someone whose conduct is upright fears the LORD, but whoever is devious in his ways despises him.

2He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.

3What a fool says brings a rod to his back, but the words of the wise protect them.

3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise will protect them.

4Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is clean, but profits come through the strength of the ox.

4Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.

5A trustworthy witness does not deceive, but a false witness spews lies.

5A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness utters lies.

6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but learning comes easily to someone who understands.

6A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.

7Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find competent advice.

7Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.

8The wisdom of the prudent helps him know how to live, but a fool's stupidity deceives him.

8The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.

9Fools make fun of guilt, but among the upright there are good intentions.

9Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will.

10The heart knows its own bitterness— an outsider cannot share in its joy.

10The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not 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 upright will flourish.

12There is a pathway that seems right to a man, but in the end it's a road to death.

12There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

13Even in laughter there may be heartache, and at the end of joy there may be grief.

13Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.

14The faithless one will pay for his behavior, but a good man will be rewarded for his.

14The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his.

15An unthinking person believes everything, but the prudent one thinks before acting.

15The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps.

16The wise person fears and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and overconfident.

16A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.

17A quick tempered person does foolish things, and a devious man is hated.

17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated.

18The naïve inherit folly, but the careful are crowned with knowledge.

18The naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

19Evil men will bow down in the presence of good men and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

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

20The poor person is shunned by his neighbor, but many are the friends of the wealthy.

20The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.

21Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.

21He who despises his neighbor sins, But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.

22Won't those who plot evil go astray? But gracious love and truth are for those who plan what is good.

22Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.

23In hard work there is always profit, but too much chattering leads to poverty.

23In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.

24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the stupidity of fools is just that—stupidity!

24The crown of the wise is their riches, But the folly of fools is foolishness.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but the person who lies is deceitful.

25A truthful witness saves lives, But he who utters lies is treacherous.

26Rock-solid security is found in the fear of the LORD, and within it one's children find refuge.

26In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, enabling anyone to escape the snares of death.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.

28A large population is a king's glory, but a shortage of people is a ruler's ruin.

28In a multitude of people is a king's glory, But in the dearth of people is a prince's ruin.

29Being slow to get angry compares to great understanding as being quick-tempered compares to stupidity.

29He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

30A tranquil mind brings life to one's body, but jealousy causes one's bones to rot.

30A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.

31Whoever oppresses the poor defies their Creator, but whoever is kind to the needy honors them.

31He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.

32The wicked person is thrown down by his own wrongdoing, but the righteous person has a place of safety in death.

32The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing, But the righteous has a refuge when he dies.

33Wisdom is at rest in the mind of the discerning— even fools know this.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the hearts of fools it is made known.

34Righteousness makes a nation great, but sin diminishes any people.

34Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

35The king approves the wise servant, but he is angry at anyone who acts shamefully.

35The king's favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.

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

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org