| English Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | 1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
| 2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. | 2The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. |
| 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. | 3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. |
| 4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | 4The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. |
| 5A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. | 5A fool spurns a parent's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. |
| 6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. | 6The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin. |
| 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. | 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright. |
| 8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. | 8The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. |
| 9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. | 9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. |
| 10There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. | 10Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die. |
| 11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man! | 11Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD-- how much more do human hearts! |
| 12A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. | 12Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise. |
| 13A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. | 13A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. |
| 14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. | 14The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. |
| 15All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. | 15All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. |
| 16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. | 16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. |
| 17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. | 17Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. |
| 18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. | 18A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. |
| 19The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. | 19The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. |
| 20A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. | 20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. |
| 21Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. | 21Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. |
| 22Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. | 22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. |
| 23To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! | 23A person finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word! |
| 24The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. | 24The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. |
| 25The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries. | 25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow's boundary stones in place. |
| 26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure. | 26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. |
| 27Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. | 27The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one 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 heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. |
| 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 good news refreshes the bones. | 30Light in a messenger's eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. |
| 31The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. | 31Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. |
| 32Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. | 32Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. |
| 33The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. | 33Wisdom's instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before 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. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
|
