English Standard Version

International Standard Version

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

1A gentle response diverts anger, but a harsh statement incites fury.

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

2The wise speak, presenting knowledge appropriately, but fools spout foolishness.

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, observing both the evil and the good.

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

4A gentle statement is a tree of life, but perverted speech shatters the spirit.

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

5A fool rejects his father's instructions, but anyone who respects reproof acts sensibly.

6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

6The righteous house is itself a great treasure, but within the revenue of the wicked calamity is at work.

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

7What the wise have to say disseminates knowledge, but it's not in the heart of fools to do so.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

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 pursues righteousness.

9The lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but he loves those who ardently pursue righteousness.

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

10Severe punishment awaits anyone who wanders off the path— anyone who despises reproof will die.

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

11Since Sheol and Abaddon lie open in the LORD's presence, how much more the hearts of human beings!

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

12The arrogant mocker never loves the one who corrects him; he will not inquire of the wise.

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

13A happy heart enlightens the face, but a sad heart reflects a broken spirit.

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

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

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

15The entire life of the afflicted seems disastrous, but a good heart feasts continuously.

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

16Better is a little accompanied by fear of the LORD than abundant wealth with turmoil.

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

17A vegetarian meal served with love is better than a big, thick steak with a plateful of animosity.

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

18The quickly angered man stirs up contention, but anyone who controls his temper calms a dispute.

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

19The lifestyle of the lazy is like a thorny hedge, but the path taken by the upright is an open highway.

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

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

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

21Stupidity is the delight of the senseless, but an understanding man walks uprightly.

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

22Plans fail without advice, but with many counselors they are confirmed.

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

23An appropriate answer brings joy to a person, and a well-timed word is a good thing.

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

24The way of life leads upward for the wise so he may avoid Sheol below.

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

25The house of the proud the LORD will demolish, but he will protect the widow's boundary line.

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

26To the LORD evil plans are detestable, but pleasant words are pure.

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

27Those who are greedy for unjust gain bring trouble into their homes, but the person who hates bribes will live.

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

28The mind of the righteous thinks before speaking, but the wicked person spews out evil.

29The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

29The LORD is far away from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.

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

30Bright eyes encourage the heart; good news nourishes the body.

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

31Whoever listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

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

32Whoever ignores instruction hates himself, but anyone who heeds reproof gains understanding.

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

33The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom, and humility precedes honor.

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.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.