Berean Standard Bible

New Living Translation

1Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

1A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

2He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

2Those who follow the right path fear the LORD; those who take the wrong path despise him.

3The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

3A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.

4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.

4Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.

5An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.

6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

6A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

7Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

7Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.

8The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

9Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.

9Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.

10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy.

10Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.

11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish.

12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

12There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.

13Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

14The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.

14Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.

15The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

15Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.

16A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.

16The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.

17Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.

18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

18Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

19Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.

20The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich.

20The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.”

21He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.

21It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.

22Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.

22If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.

23There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

23Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!

24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly.

24Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.

26He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.

26Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

27Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.

28A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.

28A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing.

29A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

29People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

30A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

30A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

31Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.

31Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.

32The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.

32The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.

33Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.

34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

34Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.

35A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him.

This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.