New American Standard Bible 1995

New Living Translation

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

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

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.

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

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

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

4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.

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

5A fool rejects his father's discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible.

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

6Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble is in 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 spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so.

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

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination 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 way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves one who pursues righteousness.

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

10Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof 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 the hearts of men!

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

12A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not go to the wise.

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

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

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

14The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

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

15All the days of the afflicted are bad, 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 is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

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

17Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

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

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

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

19The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, 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 makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

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

21Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, But a man of understanding walks straight.

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

22Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

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

23A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!

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

24The path of life leads upward for the wise That he may keep away from Sheol below.

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

25The LORD will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

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

26Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure.

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

27He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.

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

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours 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 gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.

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

31He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.

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

32He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.

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

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

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

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

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.