English Standard Version

Christian Standard Bible

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

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

2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.

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

4The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.

5A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

5A fool despises his father's discipline, but a person who accepts correction is sensible.

6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

6The house of the righteous has great wealth, but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

7The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

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 pursues righteousness.

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.

10There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.

10Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man!

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD-- how much more, human hearts.

12A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

12A mocker doesn't love one who corrects him; he will not consult the wise.

13A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

13A joyful heart makes a face cheerful, but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.

14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

14A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

15All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.

16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

18A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but one slow to anger calms strife.

19The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.

19A slacker's way is like a thorny hedge, but the path of the upright is a highway.

20A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

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

21Foolishness brings joy to one without sense, but a person with understanding walks a straight path.

22Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

22Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

23To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

23A person takes joy in giving an answer; and a timely word--how good that is!

24The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

24For the prudent the path of life leads upward, so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries.

25The LORD tears apart the house of the proud, but he protects the widow's territory.

26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure.

26The LORD detests the plans of the one who is evil, but pleasant words are pure.

27Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.

27The one who profits dishonestly troubles his household, but the one who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

28The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering, but the mouth of the wicked blurts 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 good news refreshes the bones.

30Bright eyes cheer the heart; good news strengthens the bones.

31The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

31One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise.

32Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

32Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.

33The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

33The fear of the LORD is what wisdom teaches, and humility comes before honor.

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.