New American Standard Bible 1995

Holman Christian Standard Bible

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

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

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

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.

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

3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.

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

4The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.

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

5A fool despises his father's discipline, but a person who accepts correction is sensible.

6Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble is in the income of the wicked.

6The house of the righteous has great wealth, but trouble accompanies 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 broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart 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 detestable 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 one who pursues righteousness.

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.

10Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die.

10Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path; the one who hates correction 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, human hearts.

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

12A mocker doesn't love one who corrects him; he will not consult the wise.

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

13A joyful heart makes a face cheerful, but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.

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

14A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

15All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.

17Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to anger calms strife.

19The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway.

19A slacker's way is like a thorny hedge, but the path of the upright is a highway.

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

20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

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

21Foolishness brings joy to one without sense, but a man with understanding walks a straight path.

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

22Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

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

23A man takes joy in giving an answer; and a timely word--how good that is!

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

24For the discerning the path of life leads upward, so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

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

25The LORD destroys the house of the proud, but He protects the widow's territory.

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

26The LORD detests the plans of an evil man, but pleasant words are pure.

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

27The one who profits dishonestly troubles his household, but the one 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 mind of the righteous person thinks before answering, but the mouth of the wicked blurts 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.

30Bright eyes cheer the heart; good news strengthens the bones.

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

31One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise.

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

32Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.

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

33The fear of the LORD is what wisdom teaches, 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

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