| Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound wisdom. | 1Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. |
| 2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions. | 2Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. |
| 3When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes, and along with dishonor, derision. | 3Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt. |
| 4The words of a person's mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom. | 4Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. |
| 5It is not good to show partiality to the guilty, denying an innocent person justice. | 5It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent. |
| 6A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating. | 6Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. |
| 7A fool's mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life. | 7The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. |
| 8A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being. | 8Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. |
| 9The one who is lazy in his work is brother to a vandal. | 9A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. |
| 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected. | 10The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. |
| 11The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall. | 11The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. |
| 12Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. | 12Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. |
| 13The one who gives an answer before he listens--this is foolishness and disgrace for him. | 13Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. |
| 14A person's spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? | 14The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? |
| 15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it. | 15Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. |
| 16A person's gift opens doors for him and brings him before the great. | 16Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! |
| 17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. | 17The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins. |
| 18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents. | 18Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents. |
| 19An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress. | 19An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars. |
| 20From the fruit of a person's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips. | 20Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. |
| 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. | 21The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. |
| 22A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. | 22The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD. |
| 23The poor person pleads, but the rich one answers roughly. | 23The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults. |
| 24One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. | 24There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | 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. |
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