| Holman Christian Standard Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. | 1A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
| 2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness. | 2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. |
| 3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good. | 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. |
| 4The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit. | 4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. |
| 5A fool despises his father's discipline, but a person who accepts correction is sensible. | 5A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. |
| 6The house of the righteous has great wealth, but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked. | 6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. |
| 7The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart of fools. | 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. |
| 8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. | 8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. |
| 9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves the one who pursues righteousness. | 9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. |
| 10Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die. | 10There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. |
| 11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD-- how much more, human hearts. | 11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man! |
| 12A mocker doesn't love one who corrects him; he will not consult the wise. | 12A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. |
| 13A joyful heart makes a face cheerful, but a sad heart produces a broken spirit. | 13A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. |
| 14A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. | 14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. |
| 15All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. | 15All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. |
| 16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. | 16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. |
| 17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. | 17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. |
| 18A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to anger calms strife. | 18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. |
| 19A slacker's way is like a thorny hedge, but the path of the upright is a highway. | 19The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. |
| 20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. | 20A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. |
| 21Foolishness brings joy to one without sense, but a man with understanding walks a straight path. | 21Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. |
| 22Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. | 22Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. |
| 23A man takes joy in giving an answer; and a timely word--how good that is! | 23To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! |
| 24For the discerning the path of life leads upward, so that he may avoid going down to Sheol. | 24The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. |
| 25The LORD destroys the house of the proud, but He protects the widow's territory. | 25The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries. |
| 26The LORD detests the plans of an evil man, but pleasant words are pure. | 26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure. |
| 27The one who profits dishonestly troubles his household, but the one who hates bribes will live. | 27Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. |
| 28The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things. | 28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours 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. |
| 30Bright eyes cheer the heart; good news strengthens the bones. | 30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. |
| 31One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise. | 31The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. |
| 32Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense. | 32Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. |
| 33The fear of the LORD is what wisdom teaches, and humility comes before honor. | 33The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. |
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