New King James Version

English Standard Version

1The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

1The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.

2He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

2Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.

3In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them.

3By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

4Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

4Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

5A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies.

5A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

6A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands.

6A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

7Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.

7Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.

9Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor.

9Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.

10The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy.

10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.

11The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish.

11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

13Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief.

13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

14The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above.

14The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.

15The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.

15The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

16A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.

16One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated.

17A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

18The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19The evil will bow before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

19The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends.

20The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.

21He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.

21Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

22Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.

22Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.

23In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.

23In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

24The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly.

24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.

25A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

26In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge.

26In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

28In a multitude of people is a king’s honor, But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.

28In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.

29He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

29Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

30A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.

30A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

31He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

31Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

32The wicked is banished in his wickedness, But the righteous has a refuge in his death.

32The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.

34Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.

34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

35The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

35A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.