New King James Version

New Living Translation

1The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her 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 perverse 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 a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will 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 trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

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

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

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

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

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 you do not perceive 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 mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor.

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 overthrown, 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 that 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 sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions 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 will 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 man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends.

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

21He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has 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 go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong 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 idle chatter leads only to poverty.

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 delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies.

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 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 turn one away from 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 honor, But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.

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

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

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

30A sound heart is life to the body, But envy 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 reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

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

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

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

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

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

34Righteousness exalts 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 favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

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

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

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.