| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1A gentle response diverts anger, but a harsh statement incites fury. | 1A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. |
| 2The wise speak, presenting knowledge appropriately, but fools spout foolishness. | 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, observing both the evil and the good. | 3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good. |
| 4A gentle statement is a tree of life, but perverted speech shatters the spirit. | 4The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit. |
| 5A fool rejects his father's instructions, but anyone who respects reproof acts sensibly. | 5A fool despises his father's discipline, but a person who accepts correction is sensible. |
| 6The righteous house is itself a great treasure, but within the revenue of the wicked calamity is at work. | 6The house of the righteous has great wealth, but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked. |
| 7What the wise have to say disseminates knowledge, but it's not in the heart of fools to do so. | 7The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart of fools. |
| 8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable 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 lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but he loves those who ardently pursue righteousness. | 9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves the one who pursues righteousness. |
| 10Severe punishment awaits anyone who wanders off the path— anyone who despises reproof will die. | 10Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die. |
| 11Since Sheol and Abaddon lie open in the LORD's presence, how much more the hearts of human beings! | 11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD-- how much more, human hearts. |
| 12The arrogant mocker never loves the one who corrects him; he will not inquire of the wise. | 12A mocker doesn't love one who corrects him; he will not consult the wise. |
| 13A happy heart enlightens the face, but a sad heart reflects a broken spirit. | 13A joyful heart makes a face cheerful, but a sad heart produces a broken spirit. |
| 14A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity. | 14A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. |
| 15The entire life of the afflicted seems disastrous, but a good heart feasts continuously. | 15All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. |
| 16Better is a little accompanied by fear of the LORD than abundant wealth with turmoil. | 16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. |
| 17A vegetarian meal served with love is better than a big, thick steak with a plateful of animosity. | 17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. |
| 18The quickly angered man stirs up contention, but anyone who controls his temper calms a dispute. | 18A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to anger calms strife. |
| 19The lifestyle of the lazy is like a thorny hedge, but the path taken by the upright is an open 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. |
| 21Stupidity is the delight of the senseless, but an understanding man walks uprightly. | 21Foolishness brings joy to one without sense, but a man with understanding walks a straight path. |
| 22Plans fail without advice, but with many counselors they are confirmed. | 22Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. |
| 23An appropriate answer brings joy to a person, and a well-timed word is a good thing. | 23A man takes joy in giving an answer; and a timely word--how good that is! |
| 24The way of life leads upward for the wise so he may avoid Sheol below. | 24For the discerning the path of life leads upward, so that he may avoid going down to Sheol. |
| 25The house of the proud the LORD will demolish, but he will protect the widow's boundary line. | 25The LORD destroys the house of the proud, but He protects the widow's territory. |
| 26To the LORD evil plans are detestable, but pleasant words are pure. | 26The LORD detests the plans of an evil man, but pleasant words are pure. |
| 27Those who are greedy for unjust gain bring trouble into their homes, but the person who hates bribes will live. | 27The one who profits dishonestly troubles his household, but the one who hates bribes will live. |
| 28The mind of the righteous thinks before speaking, but the wicked person spews out evil. | 28The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things. |
| 29The LORD is far away from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous. | 29The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. |
| 30Bright eyes encourage the heart; good news nourishes the body. | 30Bright eyes cheer the heart; good news strengthens the bones. |
| 31Whoever listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. | 31One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise. |
| 32Whoever ignores instruction hates himself, but anyone who heeds reproof gains understanding. | 32Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense. |
| 33The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom, and humility precedes honor. | 33The fear of the LORD is what wisdom teaches, and humility comes before honor. |
|
