Berean Study Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.

1Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.

2Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.

2Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries his footsteps errs.

3A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

3The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the LORD.

4Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

4Wealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend.

5A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

5A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will not escape.

6Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.

6Many will seek the favor of a generous man, And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.

7All the brothers of a poor man hate him—how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.

7All the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone.

8He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.

8He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.

9A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.

9A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will perish.

10Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

10Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes.

11A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

11A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

12The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.

13A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

13A foolish son is destruction to his father, And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.

14Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

14House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

15Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle man will suffer hunger.

16He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.

16He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of conduct will die.

17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

17One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed.

18Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.

18Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.

19A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.

19A man of great anger will bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.

20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.

21Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

21Many plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.

22The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.

22What is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.

23The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.

23The fear of the LORD leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

24The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.

24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, But will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

25Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.

26He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

26He who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son.

27If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

27Cease listening, my son, to discipline, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

28A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.

29Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

29Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And blows for the back of fools.

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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