| King James Bible | New International Version |
| 1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. | 1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
| 2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. | 2The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. |
| 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. | 3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. |
| 4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. | 4The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. |
| 5A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. | 5A fool spurns a parent's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. |
| 6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. | 6The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin. |
| 7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. | 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright. |
| 8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. | 8The LORD detests the sacrifice 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 detests 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. | 10Stern discipline awaits anyone 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? | 11Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD-- how much more do human hearts! |
| 12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. | 12Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise. |
| 13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. | 13A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. |
| 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 a fool 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 oppressed are wretched, but the 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 wealth with turmoil. |
| 17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. | 17Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. |
| 18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. | 18A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient 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 blocked with thorns, 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. | 21Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. |
| 22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established. | 22Plans fail for lack of 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 person finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word! |
| 24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. | 24The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. |
| 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 sets the widow's boundary stones in place. |
| 26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. | 26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. |
| 27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. | 27The greedy bring ruin to their households, 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 heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. |
| 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. | 30Light in a messenger's eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. |
| 31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. | 31Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. |
| 32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. | 32Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. |
| 33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. | 33Wisdom's instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. |
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