New King James Version

English Standard Version

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

1A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

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

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

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

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

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

5A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

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

6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls 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 spread knowledge; not so the hearts 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 an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

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

10There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof 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 the hearts of the children of man!

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

12A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

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

13A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

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

14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

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 afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

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

16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.

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

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

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

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

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

19The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.

20A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

20A wise son makes a glad 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.

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

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

22Without counsel plans fail, 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!

23To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

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

24The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

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

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries.

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

26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure.

27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.

27Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours 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.

30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.

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

31The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

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

32Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

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

33The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

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

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.