New King James Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

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

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

2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

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 the evil and the good.

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

4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

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

5A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.

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

6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

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

7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not 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 an abomination 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 way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves one who pursues righteousness.

10Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.

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

11Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.

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

12A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.

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

13A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

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

14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

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

15All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

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

16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble.

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

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.

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

18A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger 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 way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a 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.

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

22Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

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

23A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

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

24The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.

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

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

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

26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are pleasant.

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

27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.

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

28The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

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.

30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.

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

31The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.

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

32He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

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

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

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

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

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