| King James Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. | 1Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. |
| 2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. | 2Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. |
| 3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. | 3Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt. |
| 4The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. | 4Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. |
| 5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. | 5It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent. |
| 6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. | 6Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. |
| 7A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. | 7The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. |
| 8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. | 8Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. |
| 9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. | 9A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. |
| 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. | 10The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. |
| 11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. | 11The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. |
| 12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. | 12Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. |
| 13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. | 13Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. |
| 14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? | 14The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? |
| 15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. | 15Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. |
| 16A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. | 16Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! |
| 17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. | 17The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins. |
| 18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. | 18Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents. |
| 19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions 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. |
| 20A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. | 20Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. |
| 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. | 21The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. |
| 22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. | 22The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD. |
| 23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. | 23The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults. |
| 24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. | 24There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
| King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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