King James Bible

New Living Translation

1Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

1A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

2He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

2Those who follow the right path fear the LORD; those who take the wrong path despise him.

3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

3A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.

4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

4Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

5A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

5An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.

6A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

6A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

7Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

7Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

8The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

9Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

9Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.

10The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

10Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.

11The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish.

12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

12There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

13Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

13Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

14The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

14Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.

15The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

15Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.

16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

16The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

17He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

17Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.

18The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

18Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

19Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.

20The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

20The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.”

21He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

21It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.

22Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

22If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.

23In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

23Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!

24The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

24Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.

25A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.

26In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

26Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

27Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.

28In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

28A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing.

29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

29People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

30A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

30A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

31Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.

32The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

32The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.

33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

33Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.

34Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

34Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

35The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

35A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

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.