New American Standard Bible 1995

International Standard Version

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

1Wine causes mocking, and beer causes fights; everyone led astray by them lacks wisdom.

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

2A king's anger is like a lion's roar; anyone who angers him forfeits his life.

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

3Avoiding strife brings a man honor, but every fool is quarrelsome.

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

4A lazy person doesn't plow in the proper season; he looks for a harvest, but there is nothing.

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

5The intentions of a person's heart are deep waters, but a discerning person reveals them.

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

6Many claim "I'm a loyal person!" but who can find someone who truly is?

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

7The righteous person lives a life of integrity; happy are his children who follow him!

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

8A king sits on a throne of justice, sifting out all sorts of evil with his glance.

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

9Who can say, "My intentions are pure; I am clean from any sin?"

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

10FALSE weights and measures— the LORD surely detests both of them.

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

11Even a child is known by his actions, whether his deeds are pure and right.

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

12The ear that hears and the eye that sees— the LORD surely made them both.

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

13Do not love sleep or you'll become poor, keep your eyes open and you'll have plenty of food.

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

14"This is bad, bad," says whoever is buying— but then he brags as he walks away after the sale.

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

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

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

16Take the garment of anyone who puts up collateral for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for an unfamiliar woman.

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 later his mouth will be full of gravel.

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

18Make plans by seeking advice; make war by obtaining guidance.

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

19Whoever spreads gossip betrays confidences; so don't get involved with someone who talks too much.

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

20Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the deepest darkness.

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

21An inheritance quickly obtained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.

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

22Don't say "I'll avenge that wrong!" Wait on the LORD and he will deliver you.

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

23The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not good.

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

24A man's steps are directed by the LORD; how then can anyone understand his own way?

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

25It is a trap for a person to declare quickly, "This is sacred," and only later to have second thoughts about the vows.

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

26A wise king sifts the wicked, crushing them with the threshing wheel.

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

27A person's spirit is the lamp of the LORD; it searches throughout one's innermost being.

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

28Gracious love and truth preserve a king; through love his throne is made secure.

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; and the splendor of elders is their gray hair.

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

30Blows that wound clean away evil; such beatings cleanse the innermost being.

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

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.