New American Standard Bible 1995

New Living Translation

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

1Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.

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

2The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life.

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

3Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.

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

4Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.

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

5Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.

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

6Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?

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

7The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.

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

8When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.

9Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin "?

9Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?

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

10False weights and unequal measures — the LORD detests double standards of every kind.

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

11Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

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

12Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the LORD.

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

13If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!

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

14The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain!

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

15Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.

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

16Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.

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

17Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.

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

18Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.

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

19A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.

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

20If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.

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

21An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end.

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

22Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.

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

23The LORD detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales.

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

24The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

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

25Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost.

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

26A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat, then runs his threshing wheel over them.

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

27The LORD’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.

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

28Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.

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

29The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.

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

30Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.

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

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.