| Berean Study Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. | 1One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. |
| 2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. | 2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions. |
| 3With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace. | 3When a wicked man comes, contempt also does, and along with dishonor, disgrace. |
| 4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. | 4The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom. |
| 5Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. | 5It is not good to show partiality to the guilty by perverting the justice due the innocent. |
| 6A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. | 6A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating. |
| 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. | 7A fool's mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life. |
| 8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. | 8A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being. |
| 9Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys. | 9The one who is truly lazy in his work is brother to a vandal. |
| 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. | 10The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected. |
| 11A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination. | 11A rich man's wealth is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall. |
| 12Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. | 12Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. |
| 13He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. | 13The one who gives an answer before he listens-- this is foolishness and disgrace for him. |
| 14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? | 14A man's spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? |
| 15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out. | 15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it. |
| 16A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men. | 16A gift opens doors for a man and brings him before the great. |
| 17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. | 17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. |
| 18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents. | 18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents. |
| 19An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle. | 19An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress. |
| 20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. | 20From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips. |
| 21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. | 21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. |
| 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. | 22A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. |
| 23The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly. | 23The poor man pleads, but the rich one answers roughly. |
| 24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. | 24A man with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. |
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