New King James Version | Berean Study Bible |
1The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands. | 1Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. |
2He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. | 2He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him. |
3In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them. | 3The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. |
4Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox. | 4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox. |
5A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies. | 5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies. |
6A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands. | 6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. |
7Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. | 7Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. |
8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit. | 8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. |
9Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor. | 9Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright. |
10The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy. | 10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy. |
11The house of the wicked will be overthrown, 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 way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. | 12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. |
13Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief. | 13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow. |
14The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above. | 14The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways. |
15The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps. | 15The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps. |
16A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident. | 16A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless. |
17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated. | 17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated. |
18The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge. | 18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. |
19The evil will bow before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous. | 19The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. |
20The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends. | 20The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich. |
21He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. | 21He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor. |
22Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good. | 22Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness. |
23In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. | 23There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. |
24The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly. | 24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly. |
25A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies. | 25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful. |
26In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. | 26He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge. |
27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. | 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. |
28In a multitude of people is a king’s honor, But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince. | 28A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin. |
29He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. | 29A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly. |
30A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones. | 30A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones. |
31He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy. | 31Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him. |
32The wicked is banished in his wickedness, But the righteous has a refuge in his death. | 32The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death. |
33Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known. | 33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known. |
34Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. | 34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
35The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame. | 35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful. |
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