| New International Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | 1A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. |
| 2The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. | 2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness. |
| 3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. | 3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good. |
| 4The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. | 4The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit. |
| 5A fool spurns a parent's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. | 5A fool despises his father's discipline, but a person who accepts correction is sensible. |
| 6The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin. | 6The house of the righteous has great wealth, but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked. |
| 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright. | 7The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart of fools. |
| 8The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. | 8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. |
| 9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. | 9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves the one who pursues righteousness. |
| 10Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die. | 10Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die. |
| 11Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD-- how much more do human hearts! | 11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD-- how much more, human hearts. |
| 12Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise. | 12A mocker doesn't love one who corrects him; he will not consult the wise. |
| 13A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. | 13A joyful heart makes a face cheerful, but a sad heart produces a broken spirit. |
| 14The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. | 14A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. |
| 15All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. | 15All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. |
| 16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. | 16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. |
| 17Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. | 17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. |
| 18A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. | 18A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to anger calms strife. |
| 19The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. | 19A slacker's way is like a thorny hedge, but the path of the upright is a highway. |
| 20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. | 20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. |
| 21Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. | 21Foolishness brings joy to one without sense, but a man with understanding walks a straight path. |
| 22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. | 22Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. |
| 23A person finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word! | 23A man takes joy in giving an answer; and a timely word--how good that is! |
| 24The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. | 24For the discerning the path of life leads upward, so that he may avoid going down to Sheol. |
| 25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow's boundary stones in place. | 25The LORD destroys the house of the proud, but He protects the widow's territory. |
| 26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. | 26The LORD detests the plans of an evil man, but pleasant words are pure. |
| 27The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live. | 27The one who profits dishonestly troubles his household, but the one who hates bribes will live. |
| 28The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. | 28The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things. |
| 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 prayer of the righteous. |
| 30Light in a messenger's eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. | 30Bright eyes cheer the heart; good news strengthens the bones. |
| 31Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. | 31One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise. |
| 32Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. | 32Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense. |
| 33Wisdom's instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. | 33The fear of the LORD is what wisdom teaches, and humility comes before honor. |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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