| New King James Version | New International Version |
| 1A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. | 1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
| 2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. | 2The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. |
| 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. | 3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. |
| 4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | 4The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. |
| 5A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. | 5A fool spurns a parent's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. |
| 6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble. | 6The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin. |
| 7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so. | 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright. |
| 8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. | 8The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. |
| 9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness. | 9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. |
| 10Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die. | 10Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die. |
| 11Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men. | 11Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD-- how much more do human hearts! |
| 12A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. | 12Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise. |
| 13A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. | 13A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. |
| 14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. | 14The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. |
| 15All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. | 15All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. |
| 16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble. | 16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. |
| 17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred. | 17Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. |
| 18A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention. | 18A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. |
| 19The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway. | 19The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, 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 is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly. | 21Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. |
| 22Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established. | 22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. |
| 23A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! | 23A person finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word! |
| 24The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below. | 24The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. |
| 25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow. | 25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow's boundary stones in place. |
| 26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are pleasant. | 26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. |
| 27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live. | 27The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live. |
| 28The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. | 28The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. |
| 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. |
| 30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy. | 30Light in a messenger's eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. |
| 31The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise. | 31Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. |
| 32He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. | 32Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. |
| 33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. | 33Wisdom's instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
|
