| International Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1Whoever isolates himself pursues selfish ends; he resists all sound advice. | 1One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment. |
| 2A fool finds no satisfaction in trying to understand, for he would rather express his own opinion. | 2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind. |
| 3When an evil person comes, contempt also comes, along with dishonor and disgrace. | 3When a wicked person arrives, contempt shows up with him, and with shame comes a reproach. |
| 4The words a man says are as deep waters— a fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream. | 4The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. |
| 5It's not good to be partial towards an evil person, thereby depriving the righteous of justice. | 5It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked, by depriving a righteous man of justice. |
| 6A fool's words bring strife, and his mouth invites fighting. | 6The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth invites a flogging. |
| 7A fool's mouth is his unraveling, and his lips entrap himself. | 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 as they descend to the innermost parts of the body. | 8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the person's innermost being. |
| 9Whoever is lazy regarding his work is also a brother to the master of destruction. | 9The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys. |
| 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; a righteous person rushes to it and is lifted up above the danger. | 10The name of the LORD is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high. |
| 11The wealth of a rich person is his fortified city; in his own imagination, it is like a high wall. | 11The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city, and it is like a high wall in his imagination. |
| 12Before a man's downfall, his mind is arrogant, but humility precedes honor. | 12Before destruction the heart of a person is proud, but humility comes before honor. |
| 13Whoever answers before listening is both foolish and shameful. | 13The one who gives an answer before he listens--that is his folly and his shame. |
| 14A man's spirit can sustain him during his illness, but who can bear a crushed spirit? | 14A person's spirit sustains him through sickness--but who can bear a crushed spirit? |
| 15The mind of a discerning person gains knowledge, while the ears of wise people seek out knowledge. | 15The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge. |
| 16A person's gift opens doors for him, bringing him access to important people. | 16A person's gift makes room for him, and leads him before important people. |
| 17The first to put forth his case seems right, until someone else steps forward and cross-examines him. | 17The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him. |
| 18Casting dice settles a dispute, deciding between strong contenders. | 18A toss of a coin ends disputes, and settles the issue between strong opponents. |
| 19An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and his disputes are like the bars of a fortress. | 19A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel. |
| 20The positive words that a man speaks fill his stomach; he will be satisfied with what his lips produce. | 20From the fruit of a person's mouth his stomach is satisfied, with the product of his lips is he satisfied. |
| 21The power of the tongue is life and death— those who love to talk will eat what it produces. | 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit. |
| 22Whoever finds a wife finds what is good, and receives favor from the LORD. | 22The one who finds a wife finds what is enjoyable, and receives a pleasurable gift from the LORD. |
| 23The poor person pleads for mercy, but the wealthy man responds harshly. | 23A poor person makes supplications, but a rich man answers harshly. |
| 24A man with many friends can still be ruined, but a true friend sticks 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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