New King James Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

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

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

2He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

2He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.

3In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them.

3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise will protect them.

4Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

4Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.

5A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies.

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

6A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands.

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

7Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.

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

8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit.

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

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

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

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

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

11The house of the wicked will be overthrown, 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 of death.

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

13Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief.

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

14The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above.

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

15The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.

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

16A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.

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

17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated.

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

18The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

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

19The evil will bow before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

19The evil will bow down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends.

20The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.

21He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.

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

22Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.

22Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.

23In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.

23In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.

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

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

25A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies.

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

26In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge.

26In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.

28In a multitude of people is a king’s honor, But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.

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

29He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

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

30A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.

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

31He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

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

32The wicked is banished in his wickedness, But the righteous has a refuge in his death.

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

33Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known.

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

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

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

35The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

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

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

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