New King James Version

Christian Standard Bible

1A soft 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 uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.

4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

4The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.

5A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.

5A fool despises his father's discipline, but a person who accepts correction is sensible.

6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

6The house of the righteous has great wealth, but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.

7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.

7The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.

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

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.

10Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.

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

11Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD-- how much more, human hearts.

12A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.

12A mocker doesn't love one who corrects him; he will not consult the wise.

13A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

13A joyful heart makes a face cheerful, but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.

14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

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

15All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

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

16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble.

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

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.

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

18A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

18A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but one slow to anger calms strife.

19The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way 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 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.

21Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.

21Foolishness brings joy to one without sense, but a person with understanding walks a straight path.

22Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

22Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

23A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

23A person takes joy in giving an answer; and a timely word--how good that is!

24The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.

24For the prudent the path of life leads upward, so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

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

25The LORD tears apart the house of the proud, but he protects the widow's territory.

26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are pleasant.

26The LORD detests the plans of the one who is evil, but pleasant words are pure.

27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he 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 studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth 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.

30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.

30Bright eyes cheer the heart; good news strengthens the bones.

31The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.

31One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise.

32He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

32Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.

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

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

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.