English Standard Version

Christian Standard Bible

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

17A quick-tempered person acts foolishly, and one who schemes is hated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.