New American Standard Bible 1995

English Standard Version

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

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

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.

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

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.

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

4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.

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

5A fool rejects his father's discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible.

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

6Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble is in 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 spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so.

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

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination 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 way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves one who pursues righteousness.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

10Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof 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 the hearts of men!

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

12A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not go to the wise.

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

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

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

14The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

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

15All the days of the afflicted are bad, 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 is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

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

17Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served 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 strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

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

19The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, 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 makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

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

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

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

22Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

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

23A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!

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

24The path of life leads upward for the wise That he may keep away from Sheol below.

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

25The LORD will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

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

26Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure.

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

27He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.

27Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he 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 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 gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.

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

31He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.

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

32He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.

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

33The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.

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

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org

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.