New King James Version

New Living Translation

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

1A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

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

3The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

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

4Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

5A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.

5Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.

6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

6There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.

7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.

7The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.

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 he delights in the prayers of the upright.

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 godliness.

10Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.

10Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die.

11Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.

11Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!

12A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.

12Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise.

13A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

13A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.

14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

14A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.

15All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

15For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble.

16Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.

17A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.

18A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

18A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.

19The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.

19A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.

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

20Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.

21Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.

21Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.

22Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.

23A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

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 wise; they leave the grave behind.

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 protects the property of widows.

26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are pleasant.

26The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.

27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.

27Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate 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 godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.

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 prayers of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.

30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.

31The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.

31If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.

32He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

32If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.

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

33Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.