English Standard Version

King James Bible

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

1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

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

2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth 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 in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

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

4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

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

5A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

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

6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

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

7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

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 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 pursues righteousness.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

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

10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

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

11Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

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

12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

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

13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

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

14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

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

15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

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

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

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

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

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

18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

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

19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

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

20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

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

21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

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

22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

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

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

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

24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

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

25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

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

26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

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

27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

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

28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth 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 heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.

30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

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

31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

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

32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

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

33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

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.