New Living Translation

Holman Christian Standard Bible

1A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

1Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2Those who follow the right path fear the LORD; those who take the wrong path despise him.

2Whoever lives with integrity fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

3A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.

3The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline, but the lips of the wise protect them.

4Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

4Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox.

5An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.

5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness utters lies.

6A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

6A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn't find it, but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.

7Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

7Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

8The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

8The sensible man's wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

9Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.

9Fools mock at making restitution, but there is goodwill among the upright.

10Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.

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

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

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

12There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

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

13Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

13Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief.

14Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.

14The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves, and a good man, what his deeds deserve.

15Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.

15The inexperienced one believes anything, but the sensible one watches his steps.

16The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

16A wise man is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool is easily angered and is careless.

17Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.

17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man who schemes is hated.

18Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

18The inexperienced inherit foolishness, but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

19Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.

19The evil bow before those who are good, the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

20The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.”

20A poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but there are many who love the rich.

21It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.

21The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.

22If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.

22Don't those who plan evil go astray? But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

23Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!

23There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty.

24Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.

24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.

25A truthful witness rescues lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.

26Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.

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

27Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.

28A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing.

28A large population is a king's splendor, but a shortage of people is a ruler's devastation.

29People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

29A patient person shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

30A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

30A tranquil heart is life to the body, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.

31Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.

31The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker, but one who is kind to the needy honors Him.

32The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.

32The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous one has a refuge in his death.

33Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.

33Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning; she is known even among fools.

34Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

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

35A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him.

35A king favors a wise servant, but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.