1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.

2 T he tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

The tongue of the wise utters knowledge rightly, but the mouth of the fool pours out folly.

3 T he eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.

5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

A fool despises his father’s instruction and correction, but he who regards reproof acquires prudence.

6 I n the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

In the house of the righteous is great treasure, but with the income of the wicked is trouble and vexation.

7 T he lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; not so the minds and hearts of the self-confident and foolish.

8 T he sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight!

9 T he way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

The way of the wicked is an abomination, extremely disgusting and shamefully vile to the Lord, but He loves him who pursues righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

10 C orrection is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

There is severe discipline for him who forsakes God’s way; and he who hates reproof will die.

11 H ell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the final place of the accuser Satan) are both before the Lord—how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men?

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

A scorner has no love for one who rebukes him; neither will he go to the wise.

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

14 T he heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge and inquires after and craves it, but the mouth of the fool feeds on folly.

15 A ll the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil, but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast.

16 B etter is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Better is little with the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord than great and rich treasure and trouble with it.

17 B etter is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger appeases contention.

19 T he way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

The way of the sluggard is overgrown with thorns, but the way of the righteous is plain and raised like a highway.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

A wise son makes a glad father, but a self-confident and foolish man despises his mother and puts her to shame.

21 F olly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

Folly is pleasure to him who is without heart and sense, but a man of understanding walks uprightly.

22 W ithout counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Where there is no counsel, purposes are frustrated, but with many counselors they are accomplished.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!

24 T he way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

The path of the wise leads upward to life, that he may avoid in the depths of Sheol (Hades, the place of the dead).

25 T he Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but He makes secure the boundaries of the widow.

26 T he thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

The thoughts of the wicked are shamefully vile and exceedingly offensive to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasing words to Him.

27 H e that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

He who is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.

28 T he heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

The mind of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29 T he Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous (the upright, in right standing with Him).

30 T he light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

The light in the eyes rejoices the hearts of others, and good news nourishes the bones.

31 T he ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

The ear that listens to the reproof life will remain among the wise.

32 H e that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

He who refuses and ignores instruction and correction despises himself, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding.

33 T he fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord brings instruction in Wisdom, and humility comes before honor.