| King James Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. | 1Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse. |
| 2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. | 2Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark. |
| 3The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. | 3A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD. |
| 4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. | 4Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. |
| 5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. | 5A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape. |
| 6Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. | 6Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver. |
| 7All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. | 7All the brothers of a poor man hate him—how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found. |
| 8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. | 8He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success. |
| 9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. | 9A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish. |
| 10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. | 10Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! |
| 11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. | 11A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. |
| 12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. | 12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. |
| 13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. | 13A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. |
| 14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. | 14Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. |
| 15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. | 15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger. |
| 16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. | 16He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die. |
| 17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. | 17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender. |
| 18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. | 18Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death. |
| 19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. | 19A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again. |
| 20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. | 20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. |
| 21There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. | 21Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail. |
| 22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. | 22The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar. |
| 23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. | 23The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm. |
| 24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. | 24The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth. |
| 25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. | 25Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge. |
| 26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. | 26He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. |
| 27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. | 27If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge. |
| 28An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. | 28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity. |
| 29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. | 29Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools. |
|
