| King James Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. | 1A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. |
| 2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. | 2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness. |
| 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. | 3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good. |
| 4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. | 4The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit. |
| 5A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. | 5A fool despises his father's discipline, but a person who accepts correction is sensible. |
| 6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. | 6The house of the righteous has great wealth, but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked. |
| 7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. | 7The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart of fools. |
| 8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. | 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 unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. | 9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves the one who pursues righteousness. |
| 10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. | 10Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die. |
| 11Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? | 11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD-- how much more, human hearts. |
| 12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. | 12A mocker doesn't love one who corrects him; he will not consult the wise. |
| 13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. | 13A joyful heart makes a face cheerful, but a sad heart produces a broken spirit. |
| 14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. | 14A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. |
| 15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. | 15All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. |
| 16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. | 16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. |
| 17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. | 17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. |
| 18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. | 18A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to anger calms strife. |
| 19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. | 19A slacker's way is like a thorny hedge, but the path of the upright is a highway. |
| 20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. | 20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. |
| 21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. | 21Foolishness brings joy to one without sense, but a man with understanding walks a straight path. |
| 22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established. | 22Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. |
| 23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! | 23A man takes joy in giving an answer; and a timely word--how good that is! |
| 24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. | 24For the discerning the path of life leads upward, so that he may avoid going down to Sheol. |
| 25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. | 25The LORD destroys the house of the proud, but He protects the widow's territory. |
| 26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. | 26The LORD detests the plans of an evil man, but pleasant words are pure. |
| 27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. | 27The one who profits dishonestly troubles his household, but the one who hates bribes will live. |
| 28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. | 28The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things. |
| 29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth 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 rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. | 30Bright eyes cheer the heart; good news strengthens the bones. |
| 31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. | 31One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise. |
| 32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. | 32Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense. |
| 33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. | 33The fear of the LORD is what wisdom teaches, and humility comes before honor. |
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