English Standard Version

New Living Translation

1A soft 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 mouths of fools pour out 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, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

3The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

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

4Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

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

5Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.

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

6There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; 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 an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

8The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.

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 godliness.

10There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof 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 the children of man!

11Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!

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

12Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise.

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

13A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.

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

14A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.

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

15For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

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

16Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.

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

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 quiets contention.

18A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.

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

19A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.

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

20Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.

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

21Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.

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

22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.

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

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 prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

24The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind.

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 protects the property of widows.

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

26The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.

27Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own 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 pours out evil things.

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 rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.

30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.

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

31If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.

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

32If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.

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

33Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; 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.

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.