| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | 1A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. |
| 2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. | 2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. |
| 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. | 3The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. |
| 4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. | 4Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. |
| 5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent. | 5Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. |
| 6The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble. | 6There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble. |
| 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools. | 7The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give. |
| 8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. | 8The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright. |
| 9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness. | 9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness. |
| 10Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. | 10Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die. |
| 11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men! | 11Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart! |
| 12A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise. | 12Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise. |
| 13A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. | 13A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. |
| 14A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. | 14A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. |
| 15All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. | 15For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. |
| 16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. | 16Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. |
| 17Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. | 17A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. |
| 18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute. | 18A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them. |
| 19The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. | 19A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway. |
| 20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. | 20Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother. |
| 21Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path. | 21Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path. |
| 22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. | 22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. |
| 23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word! | 23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! |
| 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 wise; they leave the grave behind. |
| 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 he protects the property of widows. |
| 26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him. | 26The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words. |
| 27He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live. | 27Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate 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 godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. |
| 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 prayers of the righteous. |
| 30The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones. | 30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. |
| 31He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. | 31If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. |
| 32He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. | 32If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. |
| 33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor. | 33Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. |
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