| NET Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1Do not envy evil people, do not desire to be with them; | 1Don't be envious of wicked men or wish you were with them, |
| 2for their hearts contemplate violence, and their lips speak harm. | 2because they plan violence, and they are always talking about trouble. |
| 3By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; | 3By wisdom a house is built; it is made secure through understanding. |
| 4by knowledge its rooms are filled with all kinds of precious and pleasing treasures. | 4By knowledge its rooms are furnished with all sorts of expensive and beautiful goods. |
| 5A wise warrior is strong, and a man of knowledge makes his strength stronger; | 5A wise man is strong, and a knowledgeable man grows in strength. |
| 6for with guidance you wage your war, and with numerous advisers there is victory. | 6For through wise counsel you will wage your war, and victory lies in an abundance of advisors. |
| 7Wisdom is unattainable for a fool; in court he does not open his mouth. | 7Wisdom lies beyond reach of the fool; he has nothing to say in court. |
| 8The one who plans to do evil will be called a scheming person. | 8The person who plans on doing evil will be called a schemer. |
| 9A foolish scheme is sin, and the scorner is an abomination to people. | 9To devise folly is sin, and people detest a scoffer. |
| 10If you faint in the day of trouble, your strength is small! | 10If you grow weary when times are troubled, your strength is limited. |
| 11Deliver those being taken away to death, and hold back those slipping to the slaughter. | 11Rescue those who are being led away to death, and save those who stumble toward slaughter. |
| 12If you say, "But we did not know about this," does not the one who evaluates hearts consider? Does not the one who guards your life know? Will he not repay each person according to his deeds? | 12If you say, "Look here, we didn't know about this," doesn't God, who examines motives, discern it? Doesn't the one who guards your soul know about it? Won't he repay each person according to what he has done? |
| 13Eat honey, my child, for it is good, and honey from the honeycomb is sweet to your taste. | 13My son, eat honey, because it's good for you; indeed, drippings from the honeycomb are sweet to your taste; |
| 14Likewise, know that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will not be cut off. | 14Keep in mind that wisdom is like that for your soul; if you find it, there will be a future for you, and what you hope for won't be cut short. |
| 15Do not lie in wait like the wicked against the place where the righteous live; do not assault his home. | 15Don't lie in wait like an outlaw to attack where the righteous live; |
| 16Although a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again, but the wicked will be brought down by calamity. | 16for though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again, but the wicked stumble into calamity. |
| 17Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and when he stumbles do not let your heart rejoice, | 17Don't rejoice when your enemy falls; don't let yourself be glad when he stumbles. |
| 18lest the LORD see it, and be displeased, and turn his wrath away from him. | 18Otherwise the LORD will observe and disapprove, and he will turn his anger away from him. |
| 19Do not fret because of evil people or be envious of wicked people, | 19Don't be anxious about those who practice evil, and don't be envious of the wicked. |
| 20for the evil person has no future, and the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. | 20For the wicked man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. |
| 21Fear the LORD, my child, as well as the king, and do not associate with rebels, | 21My son, fear both the LORD and the king, and don't keep company with rebels. |
| 22for suddenly their destruction will overtake them, and who knows the ruinous judgment both the LORD and the king can bring? | 22They will be destroyed suddenly, and who knows what kind of punishment will come from these two? |
| 23These sayings also are from the wise: To show partiality in judgment is terrible: | 23Here are some more proverbs from wise people: It isn't good to show partiality in judgment. |
| 24The one who says to the guilty, "You are innocent," peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him. | 24Whoever says to the wicked, "You're in the right," will be cursed by people and hated by nations. |
| 25But there will be delight for those who convict the guilty, and a pleasing blessing will come on them. | 25But as for people who rebuke the wicked; a good blessing will fall upon them. |
| 26Like a kiss on the lips is the one who gives an honest answer. | 26A kiss on the lips— that's what someone who gives an honest answer deserves. |
| 27Establish your work outside and get your fields ready; afterward build your house. | 27First do your outside work, preparing your land for yourself. After that, build your house. |
| 28Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your words. | 28Don't testify against your neighbor without a cause, and don't lie when you speak. |
| 29Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will pay him back according to what he has done." | 29Don't say, "I'll do to him like he did to me, I'll be sure to pay him back for what he did." |
| 30I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom. | 30I went by the field belonging to a lazy man, by a vineyard belonging to a senseless person. |
| 31I saw that thorns had grown up all over it, the ground was covered with weeds, and its stone wall was broken down. | 31There it was, overgrown with thistles, the ground covered with thorns, its stone wall collapsed. |
| 32When I saw this, I gave careful consideration to it; I received instruction from what I saw: | 32As I observed, I thought about it; I watched, and learned a lesson: |
| 33"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to relax, | 33"A little sleep! A little slumber! A little folding of my hands to rest!" |
| 34and your poverty will come like a bandit, and your need like an armed robber." | 34Then your poverty will come upon you like a robber, your need like an armed bandit. |
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