| King James Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. | 1One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. |
| 2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. | 2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions. |
| 3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. | 3When a wicked man comes, contempt also does, and along with dishonor, disgrace. |
| 4The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. | 4The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom. |
| 5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. | 5It is not good to show partiality to the guilty by perverting the justice due the innocent. |
| 6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. | 6A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating. |
| 7A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. | 7A fool's mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life. |
| 8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. | 8A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being. |
| 9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. | 9The one who is truly lazy in his work is brother to a vandal. |
| 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. | 10The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected. |
| 11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. | 11A rich man's wealth is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall. |
| 12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. | 12Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. |
| 13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. | 13The one who gives an answer before he listens-- this is foolishness and disgrace for him. |
| 14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? | 14A man's spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? |
| 15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. | 15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it. |
| 16A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. | 16A gift opens doors for a man and brings him before the great. |
| 17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. | 17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. |
| 18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. | 18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents. |
| 19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. | 19An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress. |
| 20A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. | 20From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips. |
| 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. | 21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. |
| 22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. | 22A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. |
| 23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. | 23The poor man pleads, but the rich one answers roughly. |
| 24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. | 24A man with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. |
|
    |