| King James Bible | NET Bible |
| 1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. | 1A gentle response 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 treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly. |
| 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. | 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on those who are evil and those who are good. |
| 4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. | 4Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree, but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit. |
| 5A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. | 5A fool rejects his father's discipline, but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense. |
| 6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. | 6In the house of the righteous is abundant wealth, but the income of the wicked brings trouble. |
| 7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. | 7The lips of the wise spread 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 LORD abhors the sacrifices of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. |
| 9The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. | 9The LORD abhors the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. |
| 10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. | 10Severe discipline is for the one who abandons the way; the one who hates reproof will die. |
| 11Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? | 11Death and Destruction are before the LORD--how much more the hearts of humans! |
| 12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. | 12The scorner does not love one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise. |
| 13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. | 13A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a painful heart the spirit is broken. |
| 14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. | 14The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. |
| 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 afflicted are bad, but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast. |
| 16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. | 16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth and turmoil with it. |
| 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 where there is hatred. |
| 18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. | 18A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel. |
| 19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. | 19The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is like a highway. |
| 20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. | 20A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother. |
| 21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. | 21Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, but one who has understanding follows an upright course. |
| 22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established. | 22Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with abundant advisers they are established. |
| 23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! | 23A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and a word at the right time--how good it is! |
| 24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. | 24The path of life is upward for the wise person, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. |
| 25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. | 25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he maintains the boundaries of the widow. |
| 26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. | 26The LORD abhors the plans of the wicked, 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 is greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live. |
| 28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. | 28The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours 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. | 30A bright look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the body. |
| 31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. | 31The person who hears the reproof that leads to life is at home among the wise. |
| 32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. | 32The one who refuses correction despises himself, but whoever hears reproof acquires understanding. |
| 33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. | 33The fear of the LORD provides wise instruction, and before honor comes humility. |
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