New American Standard Bible 1995

International Standard Version

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

1A gentle response diverts anger, but a harsh statement incites fury.

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.

2The wise speak, presenting knowledge appropriately, but fools spout foolishness.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing both the evil and the good.

4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.

4A gentle statement is a tree of life, but perverted speech shatters the spirit.

5A fool rejects his father's discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible.

5A fool rejects his father's instructions, but anyone who respects reproof acts sensibly.

6Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble is in the income of the wicked.

6The righteous house is itself a great treasure, but within the revenue of the wicked calamity is at work.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so.

7What the wise have to say disseminates knowledge, but it's not in the heart of fools to do so.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination 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 way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves one who pursues righteousness.

9The lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but he loves those who ardently pursue righteousness.

10Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die.

10Severe punishment awaits anyone who wanders off the path— anyone who despises reproof will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, How much more the hearts of men!

11Since Sheol and Abaddon lie open in the LORD's presence, how much more the hearts of human beings!

12A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not go to the wise.

12The arrogant mocker never loves the one who corrects him; he will not inquire of the wise.

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

13A happy heart enlightens the face, but a sad heart reflects a broken spirit.

14The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

14A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity.

15All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

15The entire life of the afflicted seems disastrous, but a good heart feasts continuously.

16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

16Better is a little accompanied by fear of the LORD than abundant wealth with turmoil.

17Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

17A vegetarian meal served with love is better than a big, thick steak with a plateful of animosity.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

18The quickly angered man stirs up contention, but anyone who controls his temper calms a dispute.

19The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway.

19The lifestyle of the lazy is like a thorny hedge, but the path taken by the upright is an open highway.

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

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

21Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, But a man of understanding walks straight.

21Stupidity is the delight of the senseless, but an understanding man walks uprightly.

22Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

22Plans fail without advice, but with many counselors they are confirmed.

23A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!

23An appropriate answer brings joy to a person, and a well-timed word is a good thing.

24The path of life leads upward for the wise That he may keep away from Sheol below.

24The way of life leads upward for the wise so he may avoid Sheol below.

25The LORD will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

25The house of the proud the LORD will demolish, but he will protect the widow's boundary line.

26Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure.

26To the LORD evil plans are detestable, but pleasant words are pure.

27He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.

27Those who are greedy for unjust gain bring trouble into their homes, but the person who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

28The mind of the righteous thinks before speaking, but the wicked person spews out evil.

29The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

29The LORD is far away from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.

30Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.

30Bright eyes encourage the heart; good news nourishes the body.

31He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.

31Whoever listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

32He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.

32Whoever ignores instruction hates himself, but anyone who heeds reproof gains understanding.

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

33The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom, and humility precedes honor.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.