International Standard Version

New Living Translation

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

1A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

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

2Those who follow the right path fear the LORD; those who take the wrong path despise him.

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

3A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.

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

4Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

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

5An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.

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

6A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

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

7Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

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

8The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

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

9Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.

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

10Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share 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 godly 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 path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

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

13Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

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

14Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.

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

15Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.

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

16The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

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

17Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.

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

18Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

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

19Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.

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

20The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.”

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

21It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.

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

22If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.

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

23Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!

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

24Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.

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

25A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.

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

26Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.

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

27Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.

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

28A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing.

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

29People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

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

30A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

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

31Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor 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 are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.

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

33Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.

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

34Godliness makes a nation great, 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 rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him.

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

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.