| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them 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 roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life. | 2The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life. |
| 3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel. | 3Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. |
| 4The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there. | 4Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest. |
| 5The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. | 5Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out. |
| 6Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man? | 6Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? |
| 7The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him. | 7The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. |
| 8A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out 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 kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”? | 9Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”? |
| 10Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD. | 10False weights and unequal measures — the LORD detests double standards of every kind. |
| 11Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright. | 11Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right. |
| 12Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both. | 12Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the LORD. |
| 13Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food. | 13If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat! |
| 14“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats. | 14The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain! |
| 15There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure. | 15Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies. |
| 16Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner. | 16Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners. |
| 17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel. | 17Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth. |
| 18Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance. | 18Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice. |
| 19He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips. | 19A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers. |
| 20Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness. | 20If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness. |
| 21An inheritance gained quickly 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 avenge this evil!” Wait on 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. |
| 23Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good. | 23The LORD detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales. |
| 24A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way? | 24The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? |
| 25It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows. | 25Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. |
| 26A wise king separates out 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 a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being. | 27The LORD’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive. |
| 28Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne. | 28Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love. |
| 29The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old. | 29The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old. |
| 30Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts. | 30Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart. |
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