Berean Study Bible

English Standard Version

1A gentle 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 commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

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

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

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

4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

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

5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

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

6The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income 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 spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable 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 LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

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

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

10There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man!

12A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.

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

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

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

14A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

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

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

15All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

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

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

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

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

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

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

19The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path 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 brings joy to his father, 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 one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

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

22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

22Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!

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

24The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

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

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.

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

26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.

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

27He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, 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 ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out 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 cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.

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

31He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

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

32He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains 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 humility comes before honor.

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

The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. 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.