| King James Bible | NET Bible |
| 1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. | 1One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment. |
| 2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. | 2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind. |
| 3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. | 3When a wicked person arrives, contempt shows up with him, and with shame comes a reproach. |
| 4The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. | 4The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. |
| 5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. | 5It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked, by depriving a righteous man of justice. |
| 6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. | 6The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth invites a flogging. |
| 7A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. | 7The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life. |
| 8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. | 8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the person's innermost being. |
| 9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. | 9The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys. |
| 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. | 10The name of the LORD is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high. |
| 11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. | 11The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city, and it is like a high wall in his imagination. |
| 12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. | 12Before destruction the heart of a person 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--that is his folly and his shame. |
| 14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? | 14A person's spirit sustains him through sickness--but who can bear a crushed spirit? |
| 15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. | 15The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge. |
| 16A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. | 16A person's gift makes room for him, and leads him before important people. |
| 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 his opponent begins to cross-examine him. |
| 18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. | 18A toss of a coin ends disputes, and settles the issue between strong opponents. |
| 19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. | 19A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel. |
| 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 a person's mouth his stomach is satisfied, with the product of his lips is he satisfied. |
| 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. | 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit. |
| 22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. | 22The one who finds a wife finds what is enjoyable, and receives a pleasurable gift from the LORD. |
| 23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. | 23A poor person makes supplications, but a rich man answers harshly. |
| 24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. | 24A person who has friends may be harmed by them, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. |
|
    |