| Berean Study Bible | NET Bible |
| 1He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. | 1One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment. |
| 2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. | 2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind. |
| 3With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace. | 3When a wicked person arrives, contempt shows up with him, and with shame comes a reproach. |
| 4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. | 4The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. |
| 5Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. | 5It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked, by depriving a righteous man of justice. |
| 6A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. | 6The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth invites a flogging. |
| 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. | 7The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life. |
| 8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. | 8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the person's innermost being. |
| 9Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys. | 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 run to it and are safe. | 10The name of the LORD is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high. |
| 11A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination. | 11The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city, and it is like a high wall in his imagination. |
| 12Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. | 12Before destruction the heart of a person is proud, but humility comes before honor. |
| 13He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. | 13The one who gives an answer before he listens--that is his folly and his shame. |
| 14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? | 14A person's spirit sustains him through sickness--but who can bear a crushed spirit? |
| 15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out. | 15The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge. |
| 16A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men. | 16A person's gift makes room for him, and leads him before important people. |
| 17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. | 17The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him. |
| 18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents. | 18A toss of a coin ends disputes, and settles the issue between strong opponents. |
| 19An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes 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. |
| 20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. | 20From the fruit of a person's mouth his stomach is satisfied, with the product of his lips is he satisfied. |
| 21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. | 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit. |
| 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. | 22The one who finds a wife finds what is enjoyable, and receives a pleasurable gift from the LORD. |
| 23The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly. | 23A poor person makes supplications, but a rich man answers harshly. |
| 24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays 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. |
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