International Standard Version

Christian Standard Bible

1Every wise woman builds up her household, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

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

2Someone whose conduct is upright fears the LORD, but whoever is devious in his ways despises him.

2Whoever lives with integrity fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises him.

3What a fool says brings a rod to his back, but the words of the wise protect them.

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

4Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is clean, but profits come through the strength of the ox.

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

5A trustworthy witness does not deceive, but a false witness spews lies.

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

6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but learning comes easily to someone who understands.

6A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn't find it, but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.

7Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find competent advice.

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

8The wisdom of the prudent helps him know how to live, but a fool's stupidity deceives him.

8The sensible person's wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

9Fools make fun of guilt, but among the upright there are good intentions.

9Fools mock at making reparation, but there is goodwill among the upright.

10The heart knows its own bitterness— an outsider cannot share in its joy.

10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no outsider shares in 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 upright will flourish.

12There is a pathway that seems right to a man, but in the end it's a road to death.

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

13Even in laughter there may be heartache, and at the end of joy there may be grief.

13Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief.

14The faithless one will pay for his behavior, but a good man will be rewarded for his.

14The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves, and a good one, what his deeds deserve.

15An unthinking person believes everything, but the prudent one thinks before acting.

15The inexperienced one believes anything, but the sensible one watches his steps.

16The wise person fears and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and overconfident.

16A wise person is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool is easily angered and is careless.

17A quick tempered person does foolish things, and a devious man is hated.

17A quick-tempered person acts foolishly, and one who schemes is hated.

18The naïve inherit folly, but the careful are crowned with knowledge.

18The inexperienced inherit foolishness, but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

19Evil men will bow down in the presence of good men and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

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

20The poor person is shunned by his neighbor, but many are the friends of the wealthy.

20A poor person is hated even by his neighbor, but there are many who love the rich.

21Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.

21The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.

22Won't those who plot evil go astray? But gracious love and truth are for those who plan what is good.

22Don't those who plan evil go astray? But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

23In hard work there is always profit, but too much chattering leads to poverty.

23There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty.

24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the stupidity of fools is just that—stupidity!

24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but the person who lies is deceitful.

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

26Rock-solid security is found in the fear of the LORD, and within it one's children find refuge.

26In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, enabling anyone to escape the snares of death.

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

28A large population is a king's glory, but a shortage of people is a ruler's ruin.

28A large population is a king's splendor, but a shortage of people is a ruler's devastation.

29Being slow to get angry compares to great understanding as being quick-tempered compares to stupidity.

29A patient person shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

30A tranquil mind brings life to one's body, but jealousy causes one's bones to rot.

30A tranquil heart is life to the body, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.

31Whoever oppresses the poor defies their Creator, but whoever is kind to the needy honors them.

31The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker, but one who is kind to the needy honors him.

32The wicked person is thrown down by his own wrongdoing, but the righteous person has a place of safety in death.

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

33Wisdom is at rest in the mind of the discerning— even fools know this.

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

34Righteousness makes a nation great, but sin diminishes any people.

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

35The king approves the wise servant, but he is angry at anyone who acts shamefully.

35A king favors a prudent servant, but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.

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

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.