Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
1Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler; whoever goes astray because of them is not wise. | 1Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise. |
2A king's terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion; anyone who provokes him endangers himself. | 2The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life. |
3Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute, but any fool can get himself into a quarrel. | 3Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. |
4The slacker does not plow during planting season; at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing. | 4Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest. |
5Counsel in a person's heart is deep water; but a person of understanding draws it out. | 5Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out. |
6Many a person proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy person? | 6Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? |
7A righteous person acts with integrity; his children who come after him will be happy. | 7The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. |
8A king sitting on a throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes. | 8When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good. |
9Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin"? | 9Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”? |
10Differing weights and varying measures--both are detestable to the LORD. | 10False weights and unequal measures — the LORD detests double standards of every kind. |
11Even a young man is known by his actions--by whether his behavior is pure and upright. | 11Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right. |
12The hearing ear and the seeing eye--the LORD made them both. | 12Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the LORD. |
13Don't love sleep, or you will become poor; open your eyes, and you'll have enough to eat. | 13If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat! |
14"It's worthless, it's worthless!" the buyer says, but after he is on his way, he gloats. | 14The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain! |
15There is gold and a multitude of jewels, but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure. | 15Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies. |
16Take his garment, for he has put up security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for foreigners. | 16Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners. |
17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a person, but afterward his mouth is full of gravel. | 17Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth. |
18Finalize plans with counsel, and wage war with sound guidance. | 18Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice. |
19The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth. | 19A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers. |
20Whoever curses his father or mother-- his lamp will go out in deep darkness. | 20If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness. |
21An inheritance gained prematurely will not be blessed ultimately. | 21An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end. |
22Don't say, "I will avenge this evil!" Wait on the LORD, and he will rescue you. | 22Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter. |
23Differing weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are unfair. | 23The LORD detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales. |
24Even a courageous person's steps are determined by the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way? | 24The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? |
25It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly and later to reconsider his vows. | 25Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. |
26A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them. | 26A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat, then runs his threshing wheel over them. |
27The LORD's lamp sheds light on a person's life, searching the innermost parts. | 27The LORD’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive. |
28Loyalty and faithfulness guard a king; through loyalty he maintains his throne. | 28Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love. |
29The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is gray hair. | 29The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old. |
30Lashes and wounds purge away evil, and beatings cleanse the innermost parts. | 30Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart. |
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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