King James Bible

International Standard Version

1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

1A gentle response diverts anger, but a harsh statement incites fury.

2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

2The wise speak, presenting knowledge appropriately, but fools spout foolishness.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing both the evil and the good.

4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

4A gentle statement is a tree of life, but perverted speech shatters the spirit.

5A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

5A fool rejects his father's instructions, but anyone who respects reproof acts sensibly.

6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

6The righteous house is itself a great treasure, but within the revenue of the wicked calamity is at work.

7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

7What the wise have to say disseminates knowledge, but it's not in the heart of fools to do so.

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 lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but he loves those who ardently pursue righteousness.

10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

10Severe punishment awaits anyone who wanders off the path— anyone who despises reproof will die.

11Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

11Since Sheol and Abaddon lie open in the LORD's presence, how much more the hearts of human beings!

12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

12The arrogant mocker never loves the one who corrects him; he will not inquire of the wise.

13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

13A happy heart enlightens the face, but a sad heart reflects 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 stupidity.

15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

15The entire life of the afflicted seems disastrous, but a good heart feasts continuously.

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

16Better is a little accompanied by fear of the LORD than abundant wealth with turmoil.

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

17A vegetarian meal served with love is better than a big, thick steak with a plateful of animosity.

18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

18The quickly angered man stirs up contention, but anyone who controls his temper calms a dispute.

19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

19The lifestyle of the lazy is like a thorny hedge, but the path taken by the upright is an open highway.

20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

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

21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

21Stupidity is the delight of the senseless, but an understanding man walks uprightly.

22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

22Plans fail without advice, but with many counselors they are confirmed.

23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

23An appropriate answer brings joy to a person, and a well-timed word is a good thing.

24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

24The way of life leads upward for the wise so he may avoid Sheol below.

25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

25The house of the proud the LORD will demolish, but he will protect the widow's boundary line.

26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

26To the LORD evil plans are detestable, but pleasant words are pure.

27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

27Those who are greedy for unjust gain bring trouble into their homes, but the person 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 thinks before speaking, but the wicked person spews out evil.

29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

29The LORD is far away from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

30Bright eyes encourage the heart; good news nourishes the body.

31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

31Whoever listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

32Whoever ignores instruction hates himself, but anyone who heeds reproof gains understanding.

33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

33The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom, and humility precedes honor.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

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