| New King James Version | International Standard Version |
| 1A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. | 1A gentle response diverts anger, but a harsh statement incites fury. |
| 2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. | 2The wise speak, presenting knowledge appropriately, but fools spout foolishness. |
| 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on 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 in it breaks the spirit. | 4A gentle statement is a tree of life, but perverted speech shatters the spirit. |
| 5A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. | 5A fool rejects his father's instructions, but anyone who respects reproof acts sensibly. |
| 6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue 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 fool does not do 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 to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness. | 9The lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but he loves those who ardently pursue righteousness. |
| 10Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die. | 10Severe punishment awaits anyone who wanders off the path— anyone who despises reproof will die. |
| 11Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men. | 11Since Sheol and Abaddon lie open in the LORD's presence, how much more the hearts of human beings! |
| 12A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. | 12The arrogant mocker never loves the one who corrects him; he will not inquire of the wise. |
| 13A merry heart makes 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 who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds 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 who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. | 15The entire life of the afflicted seems disastrous, but a good heart feasts continuously. |
| 16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble. | 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 fatted calf with hatred. | 17A vegetarian meal served with love is better than a big, thick steak with a plateful of animosity. |
| 18A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention. | 18The quickly angered man stirs up contention, but anyone who controls his temper calms a dispute. |
| 19The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway. | 19The lifestyle of the lazy is like a thorny hedge, but the path taken by the upright is an open highway. |
| 20A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother. | 20A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother. |
| 21Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly. | 21Stupidity is the delight of the senseless, but an understanding man walks uprightly. |
| 22Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established. | 22Plans fail without advice, but with many counselors they are confirmed. |
| 23A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! | 23An appropriate answer brings joy to a person, and a well-timed word is a good thing. |
| 24The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below. | 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 boundary 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. | 26To the LORD evil plans are detestable, but pleasant words are pure. |
| 27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will 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 studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. | 28The mind of the righteous thinks before speaking, but the wicked person spews out evil. |
| 29The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears 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 rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy. | 30Bright eyes encourage the heart; good news nourishes the body. |
| 31The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise. | 31Whoever listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. |
| 32He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets 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 honor is humility. | 33The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom, and humility precedes honor. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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