New American Standard Bible 1995

English Standard Version

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

2The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

2The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.

3Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel.

3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

4The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.

4The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

5A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.

5The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

6Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man?

6Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?

7A righteous man who walks in his integrity-- How blessed are his sons after him.

7The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him!

8A king who sits on the throne of justice Disperses all evil with his eyes.

8A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.

9Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin "?

9Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?

10Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are abominable to the LORD.

10Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

11It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself If his conduct is pure and right.

11Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

12The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made both of them.

12The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.

13Do not love sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.

13Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

14"Bad, bad," says the buyer, But when he goes his way, then he boasts.

14“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts.

15There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

15There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.

16Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

17Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

17Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.

18Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance.

18Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.

19He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

19Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

20He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness.

20If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.

21An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end.

21An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.

22Do not say, "I will repay evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

22Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.

23Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, And a false scale is not good.

23Unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good.

24Man's steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way?

24A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?

25It is a trap for a man to say rashly, "It is holy!" And after the vows to make inquiry.

25It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows.

26A wise king winnows the wicked, And drives the threshing wheel over them.

26A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them.

27The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the innermost parts of his being.

27The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts.

28Loyalty and truth preserve the king, And he upholds his throne by righteousness.

28Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.

29The glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their gray hair.

29The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.

30Stripes that wound scour away evil, And strokes reach the innermost parts.

30Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org

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