| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. | 1Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. |
| 2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. | 2Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. |
| 3With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace. | 3Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt. |
| 4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. | 4Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. |
| 5Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. | 5It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent. |
| 6A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. | 6Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. |
| 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. | 7The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. |
| 8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. | 8Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. |
| 9Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys. | 9A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. |
| 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. | 10The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. |
| 11A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination. | 11The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. |
| 12Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. | 12Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. |
| 13He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. | 13Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. |
| 14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? | 14The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? |
| 15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out. | 15Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. |
| 16A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men. | 16Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! |
| 17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. | 17The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins. |
| 18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents. | 18Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents. |
| 19An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle. | 19An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars. |
| 20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. | 20Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. |
| 21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. | 21The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. |
| 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. | 22The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD. |
| 23The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly. | 23The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults. |
| 24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. | 24There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
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