| English Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down. | 1The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. |
| 2Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways despises him. | 2Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways. |
| 3By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. | 3A fool's mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them. |
| 4Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. | 4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests. |
| 5A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. | 5An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. |
| 6A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. | 6The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. |
| 7Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. | 7Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips. |
| 8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving. | 8The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. |
| 9Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance. | 9Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. |
| 10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. | 10Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share 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 flourish. |
| 12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. | 12There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. |
| 13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. | 13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. |
| 14The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. | 14The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs. |
| 15The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. | 15The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. |
| 16One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. | 16The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. |
| 17A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. | 17A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. |
| 18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. | 18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. |
| 19The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous. | 19Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. |
| 20The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends. | 20The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. |
| 21Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. | 21It is a sin to despise one's neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. |
| 22Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness. | 22Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. |
| 23In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. | 23All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. |
| 24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly. | 24The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly. |
| 25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful. | 25A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. |
| 26In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. | 26Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. |
| 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. | 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. |
| 28In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined. | 28A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined. |
| 29Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. | 29Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. |
| 30A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. | 30A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. |
| 31Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. | 31Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. |
| 32The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death. | 32When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God. |
| 33Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools. | 33Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. |
| 34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. | 34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. |
| 35A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. | 35A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury. |
| 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. | 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. |
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