New Living Translation

New American Standard Bible 1995

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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