New International Version | NET Bible |
1Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. | 1Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise. |
2A king's wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives. | 2The king's terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself. |
3It is to one's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. | 3It is an honor for a person to cease from strife, but every fool quarrels. |
4Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. | 4The sluggard will not plow during the planting season, so at harvest time he looks for the crop but has nothing. |
5The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. | 5Counsel in a person's heart is like deep water, but an understanding person draws it out. |
6Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? | 6Many people profess their loyalty, but a faithful person--who can find? |
7The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them. | 7The righteous person behaves in integrity; blessed are his children after him. |
8When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes. | 8A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes. |
9Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"? | 9Who can say, "I have kept my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"? |
10Differing weights and differing measures-- the LORD detests them both. | 10Diverse weights and diverse measures--the LORD abhors both of them. |
11Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright? | 11Even a young man is known by his actions, whether his activity is pure and whether it is right. |
12Ears that hear and eyes that see-- the LORD has made them both. | 12The ear that hears and the eye that sees--the LORD has made them both. |
13Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. | 13Do not love sleep, lest you become impoverished; open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food. |
14"It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer-- then goes off and boasts about the purchase. | 14"It's worthless! It's worthless!" says the buyer, but when he goes on his way, he boasts. |
15Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. | 15There is gold, and an abundance of rubies, but words of knowledge are like a precious jewel. |
16Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider. | 16Take a man's garment when he has given security for a stranger, and when he gives surety for strangers, hold him in pledge. |
17Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel. | 17Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet to a person, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. |
18Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance. | 18Plans are established by counsel, so make war with guidance. |
19A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much. | 19The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth. |
20If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness. | 20The one who curses his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the blackest darkness. |
21An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end. | 21An inheritance gained easily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. |
22Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. | 22Do not say, "I will pay back evil!" Wait for the LORD, so that he may vindicate you. |
23The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. | 23The LORD abhors differing weights, and dishonest scales are wicked. |
24A person's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way? | 24The steps of a person are ordained by the LORD--so how can anyone understand his own way? |
25It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one's vows. | 25It is a snare for a person to rashly cry, "Holy!" and only afterward to consider what he has vowed. |
26A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them. | 26A wise king separates out the wicked; he turns the threshing wheel over them. |
27The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one's inmost being. | 27The human spirit is like the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts. |
28Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. | 28Loyal love and truth preserve a king, and his throne is upheld by loyal love. |
29The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. | 29The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is gray hair. |
30Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being. | 30Beatings and wounds cleanse away evil, and floggings cleanse the innermost being. |
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