Holman Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

1A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.

1Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

2The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD made them both.

2The rich and poor have this in common: The LORD made them both.

3A sensible person sees danger and takes cover, but the inexperienced keep going and are punished.

3A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

4The result of humility is fear of the LORD, along with wealth, honor, and life.

4True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life.

5There are thorns and snares on the path of the crooked; the one who guards himself stays far from them.

5Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it.

6Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

6Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.

7Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

8The one who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

8Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.

9A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

9Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.

10Drive out a mocker, and conflict goes too; then quarreling and dishonor will cease.

10Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.

11The one who loves a pure heart and gracious lips--the king is his friend.

11Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.

12The LORD's eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous.

12The LORD preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.

13The slacker says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the public square!"

13The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!”

14The mouth of the forbidden woman is a deep pit; a man cursed by the LORD will fall into it.

14The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the LORD angry will fall into it.

15Foolishness is tangled up in the heart of a youth; the rod of discipline will drive it away from him.

15A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.

16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich--both lead only to poverty.

16A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. Sayings of the Wise

17Listen closely, pay attention to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge.

17Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.

18For it is pleasing if you keep them within you and if they are constantly on your lips.

18For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.

19I have instructed you today--even you-- so that your confidence may be in the LORD.

19I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the LORD.

20Haven't I written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,

20I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge.

21in order to teach you true and reliable words, so that you may give a dependable report to those who sent you?

21In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you.

22Don't rob a poor man because he is poor, and don't crush the oppressed at the gate,

22Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.

23for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.

23For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.

24Don't make friends with an angry man, and don't be a companion of a hot-tempered man,

24Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,

25or you will learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

25or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

26Don't be one of those who enter agreements, who put up security for loans.

26Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else.

27If you have no money to pay, even your bed will be taken from under you.

27If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.

28Don't move an ancient boundary marker that your fathers set up.

28Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations.

29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings. He will not stand in the presence of unknown men.

29Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 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.