| English Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. | 1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his speech and is a fool. |
| 2Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. | 2It is dangerous to have zeal without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily makes poor choices. |
| 3When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD. | 3A person's folly subverts his way, and his heart rages against the LORD. |
| 4Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. | 4Wealth adds many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friend. |
| 5A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. | 5A false witness will not go unpunished, and the one who spouts out lies will not escape punishment. |
| 6Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. | 6Many people entreat the favor of a generous person, and everyone is the friend of the person who gives gifts. |
| 7All a poor man’s brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them. | 7All the relatives of a poor person hate him; how much more do his friends avoid him--he pursues them with words, but they do not respond. |
| 8Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good. | 8The one who acquires wisdom loves himself; the one who preserves understanding will prosper. |
| 9A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish. | 9A false witness will not go unpunished, and the one who spouts out lies will perish. |
| 10It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes. | 10Luxury is not appropriate for a fool; how much less for a servant to rule over princes! |
| 11Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. | 11A person's wisdom makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. |
| 12A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. | 12A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. |
| 13A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain. | 13A foolish child is the ruin of his father, and a contentious wife is like a constant dripping. |
| 14House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. | 14A house and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. |
| 15Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. | 15Laziness brings on a deep sleep, and the idle person will go hungry. |
| 16Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die. | 16The one who obeys commandments guards his life; the one who despises his ways will die. |
| 17Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. | 17The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the LORD, and the LORD will repay him for his good deed. |
| 18Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death. | 18Discipline your child, for there is hope, but do not set your heart on causing his death. |
| 19A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again. | 19A person with great anger bears the penalty, but if you deliver him from it once, you will have to do it again. |
| 20Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. | 20Listen to advice and receive discipline, that you may become wise by the end of your life. |
| 21Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. | 21There are many plans in a person's mind, but it is the counsel of the LORD which will stand. |
| 22What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. | 22What is desirable for a person is to show loyal love, and a poor person is better than a liar. |
| 23The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. | 23Fearing the LORD leads to life, and one who does so will live satisfied; he will not be afflicted by calamity. |
| 24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth. | 24The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish, and he will not even bring it back to his mouth! |
| 25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge. | 25Flog a scorner, and as a result the simpleton will learn prudence; correct a discerning person, and as a result he will understand knowledge. |
| 26He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach. | 26The one who robs his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. |
| 27Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. | 27If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will stray from the words of knowledge. |
| 28A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. | 28A crooked witness scorns justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. |
| 29Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools. | 29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and floggings for the backs of fools. |
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