NET Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise.

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

2The king's terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.

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

3It is an honor for a person to cease from strife, but every fool quarrels.

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

4The sluggard will not plow during the planting season, so at harvest time he looks for the crop but has nothing.

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

5Counsel in a person's heart is like deep water, but an understanding person draws it out.

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

6Many people profess their loyalty, but a faithful person--who can find?

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

7The righteous person behaves in integrity; blessed are his children after him.

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

8A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes.

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

9Who can say, "I have kept my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"?

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

10Diverse weights and diverse measures--the LORD abhors both of them.

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

11Even a young man is known by his actions, whether his activity is pure and whether it is right.

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

12The ear that hears and the eye that sees--the LORD has made them both.

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

13Do not love sleep, lest you become impoverished; open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food.

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

14"It's worthless! It's worthless!" says the buyer, but when he goes on his way, he boasts.

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

15There is gold, and an abundance of rubies, but words of knowledge are like a precious jewel.

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

16Take a man's garment when he has given security for a stranger, and when he gives surety for strangers, hold him in pledge.

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

17Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet to a person, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

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

18Plans are established by counsel, so make war with guidance.

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

19The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth.

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

20The one who curses his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the blackest darkness.

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

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

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

22Do not say, "I will pay back evil!" Wait for the LORD, so that he may vindicate you.

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

23The LORD abhors differing weights, and dishonest scales are wicked.

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

24The steps of a person are ordained by the LORD--so how can anyone understand his own way?

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

25It is a snare for a person to rashly cry, "Holy!" and only afterward to consider what he has vowed.

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

26A wise king separates out the wicked; he turns the threshing wheel over them.

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

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

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

28Loyal love and truth preserve a king, and his throne is upheld by loyal love.

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

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

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

30Beatings and wounds cleanse away evil, and floggings cleanse the innermost being.

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

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. //netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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