| Holman Christian Standard Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. | 1Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. |
| 2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions. | 2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. |
| 3When a wicked man comes, contempt also does, and along with dishonor, disgrace. | 3When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. |
| 4The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom. | 4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. |
| 5It is not good to show partiality to the guilty by perverting the justice due the innocent. | 5It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. |
| 6A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating. | 6A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. |
| 7A fool's mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life. | 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. |
| 8A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being. | 8The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. |
| 9The one who is truly lazy in his work is brother to a vandal. | 9Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. |
| 10The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected. | 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. |
| 11A rich man's wealth is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall. | 11A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. |
| 12Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. | 12Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. |
| 13The one who gives an answer before he listens-- this is foolishness and disgrace for him. | 13If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. |
| 14A man's spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? | 14A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? |
| 15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it. | 15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. |
| 16A gift opens doors for a man and brings him before the great. | 16A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. |
| 17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. | 17The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. |
| 18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents. | 18The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. |
| 19An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress. | 19A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. |
| 20From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips. | 20From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. |
| 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 it will eat its fruits. |
| 22A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. | 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. |
| 23The poor man pleads, but the rich one answers roughly. | 23The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. |
| 24A man with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. | 24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. |
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