English Standard Version

King James Bible

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

1Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

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

2He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

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

3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

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

4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

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

5A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

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

6A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

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

7Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

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

8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

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

9Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

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

10The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

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

11The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

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

12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

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

13Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

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 backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

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

15The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

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

16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

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

17He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

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

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

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

19The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

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

20The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

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

21He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

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

22Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

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

23In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

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

24The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

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

25A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

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

26In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of 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, to depart from the snares of death.

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

28In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

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

29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

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

30A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

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

31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

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

32The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope 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 resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

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

34Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

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

35The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

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.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.