| English Standard Version | New Living Translation |
| 1Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. | 1Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. |
| 2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. | 2Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. |
| 3When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. | 3Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt. |
| 4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. | 4Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. |
| 5It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. | 5It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent. |
| 6A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. | 6Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. |
| 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. | 7The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. |
| 8The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. | 8Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. |
| 9Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. | 9A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. |
| 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. | 10The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. |
| 11A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. | 11The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. |
| 12Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. | 12Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. |
| 13If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. | 13Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. |
| 14A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? | 14The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? |
| 15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. | 15Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. |
| 16A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. | 16Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! |
| 17The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. | 17The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins. |
| 18The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. | 18Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents. |
| 19A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. | 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 man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield 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 fruits. | 21The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. |
| 22He 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 use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. | 23The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults. |
| 24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | 24There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | 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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