New American Standard Bible 1995

Holman Christian Standard Bible

1The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

1Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.

2Whoever lives with integrity fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise will protect them.

3The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline, but the lips of the wise protect them.

4Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.

4Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox.

5A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness utters lies.

5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness utters lies.

6A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.

6A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn't find it, but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.

7Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.

7Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

8The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.

8The sensible man's wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

9Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will.

9Fools mock at making restitution, but there is goodwill among the upright.

10The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy.

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

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

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

12There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

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

13Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.

13Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief.

14The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his.

14The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves, and a good man, what his deeds deserve.

15The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps.

15The inexperienced one believes anything, but the sensible one watches his steps.

16A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.

16A wise man is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool is easily angered and is careless.

17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated.

17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man who schemes is hated.

18The naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

18The inexperienced inherit foolishness, but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

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

19The evil bow before those who are good, the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

20The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.

20A poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but there are many who love the rich.

21He who despises his neighbor sins, But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.

21The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.

22Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.

22Don't those who plan evil go astray? But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

23In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.

23There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty.

24The crown of the wise is their riches, But the folly of fools is foolishness.

24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.

25A truthful witness saves lives, But he who utters lies is treacherous.

25A truthful witness rescues lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.

26In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.

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

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.

28In a multitude of people is a king's glory, But in the dearth of people is a prince's ruin.

28A large population is a king's splendor, but a shortage of people is a ruler's devastation.

29He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

29A patient person shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

30A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.

30A tranquil heart is life to the body, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.

31He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.

31The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker, but one who is kind to the needy honors Him.

32The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing, But the righteous has a refuge when he dies.

32The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous one has a refuge in his death.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the hearts of fools it is made known.

33Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning; she is known even among fools.

34Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

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

35The king's favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.

35A king favors a wise servant, but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.