New American Standard Bible 1995

New Living Translation

1The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

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

2He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is devious in his ways despises 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 for his back, But the lips of the wise will protect 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 manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.

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

5A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness utters lies.

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

6A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.

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

7Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.

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

8The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.

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

9Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will.

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

10The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy.

10Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully 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 godly will flourish.

12There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

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

13Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.

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

14The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his.

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

15The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps.

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

16A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.

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

17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated.

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

18The naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

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

19The evil will bow down 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 by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.

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

21He who despises his neighbor sins, But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.

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

22Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who 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 labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.

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

24The crown of the wise is their riches, But the folly of fools is foolishness.

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

25A truthful witness saves lives, But he who utters lies is treacherous.

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

26In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have 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, That one may avoid the snares of death.

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

28In a multitude of people is a king's glory, But in the dearth of people is a prince's ruin.

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

29He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

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

30A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.

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

31He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.

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

32The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing, But the righteous has a refuge when he dies.

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

33Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the hearts of fools it is made known.

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

34Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

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

35The king's favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.

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

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

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.