Holman Christian Standard Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler, and whoever staggers because of them is not wise.

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

2A king's terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion; anyone who provokes him endangers himself.

2The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.

3Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel.

4The slacker does not plow during planting season; at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing.

4The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.

5Counsel in a man's heart is deep water; but a man of understanding draws it out.

5A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.

6Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?

6Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man?

7The one who lives with integrity is righteous; his children who come after him will be happy.

7A righteous man who walks in his integrity-- How blessed are his sons after him.

8A king sitting on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.

8A king who sits on the throne of justice Disperses all evil with his eyes.

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 from my sin "?

10Differing weights and varying measures-- both are detestable to the LORD.

10Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are abominable to the LORD.

11Even a young man is known by his actions-- if his behavior is pure and upright.

11It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself If his conduct is pure and right.

12The hearing ear and the seeing eye-- the LORD made them both.

12The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made both of them.

13Don't love sleep, or you will become poor; open your eyes, and you'll have enough to eat."

13Do not love sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.

14It's worthless, it's worthless!" the buyer says, but after he is on his way, he gloats.

14"Bad, bad," says the buyer, But when he goes his way, then he boasts.

15There is gold and a multitude of jewels, but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.

15There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

16Take his garment, for he has put up security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for foreigners.

16Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.

17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.

17Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

18Finalize plans with counsel, and wage war with sound guidance.

18Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance.

19The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.

19He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

20Whoever curses his father or mother-- his lamp will go out in deep darkness.

20He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness.

21An inheritance gained prematurely will not be blessed ultimately.

21An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end.

22Don't say, "I will avenge this evil!" Wait on the LORD, and He will rescue you.

22Do not say, "I will repay evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

23Differing weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are unfair.

23Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, And a false scale is not good.

24A man's steps are determined by the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?

24Man's steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way?

25It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly and later to reconsider his vows.

25It is a trap for a man to say rashly, "It is holy!" And after the vows to make inquiry.

26A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.

26A wise king winnows the wicked, And drives the threshing wheel over them.

27The LORD's lamp sheds light on a person's life, searching the innermost parts.

27The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the innermost parts of his being.

28Loyalty and faithfulness deliver a king; through loyalty he maintains his throne.

28Loyalty and truth preserve the king, And he upholds his throne by righteousness.

29The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is gray hair.

29The glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their gray hair.

30Lashes and wounds purge away evil, and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.

30Stripes that wound scour away evil, And strokes reach the innermost parts.

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

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