NET Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

1A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly.

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on those who are evil and those who are good.

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

4Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree, but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit.

4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.

5A fool rejects his father's discipline, but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense.

5A fool rejects his father's discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible.

6In the house of the righteous is abundant wealth, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.

6Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble is in the income of the wicked.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so.

8The LORD abhors the sacrifices of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9The LORD abhors the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves one who pursues righteousness.

10Severe discipline is for the one who abandons the way; the one who hates reproof will die.

10Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die.

11Death and Destruction are before the LORD--how much more the hearts of humans!

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, How much more the hearts of men!

12The scorner does not love one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise.

12A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not go to the wise.

13A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a painful heart the spirit is broken.

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

14The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

14The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

15All the days of the afflicted are bad, but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

15All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth and turmoil with it.

16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox where there is hatred.

17Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

18A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

19The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is like a highway.

19The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway.

20A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.

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

21Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, but one who has understanding follows an upright course.

21Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, But a man of understanding walks straight.

22Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with abundant advisers they are established.

22Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

23A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and a word at the right time--how good it is!

23A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!

24The path of life is upward for the wise person, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

24The path of life leads upward for the wise That he may keep away from Sheol below.

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he maintains the boundaries of the widow.

25The LORD will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

26The LORD abhors the plans of the wicked, but pleasant words are pure.

26Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure.

27The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live.

27He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

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

29The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30A bright look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the body.

30Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.

31The person who hears the reproof that leads to life is at home among the wise.

31He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.

32The one who refuses correction despises himself, but whoever hears reproof acquires understanding.

32He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.

33The fear of the LORD provides wise instruction, and before honor comes humility.

33The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.

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New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org