| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. | 1One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. |
| 2A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. | 2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions. |
| 3When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach. | 3When a wicked man comes, contempt also does, and along with dishonor, disgrace. |
| 4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. | 4The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom. |
| 5It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment. | 5It is not good to show partiality to the guilty by perverting the justice due the innocent. |
| 6A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. | 6A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating. |
| 7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. | 7A fool's mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life. |
| 8The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. | 8A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being. |
| 9He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. | 9The one who is truly lazy in his work is brother to a vandal. |
| 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. | 10The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected. |
| 11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem. | 11A rich man's wealth is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall. |
| 12Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility. | 12Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. |
| 13He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. | 13The one who gives an answer before he listens-- this is foolishness and disgrace for him. |
| 14The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit? | 14A man's spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? |
| 15The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. | 15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it. |
| 16A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. | 16A gift opens doors for a man and brings him before the great. |
| 17The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. | 17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. |
| 18Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart. | 18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents. |
| 19A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. | 19An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress. |
| 20A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. | 20From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips. |
| 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. | 21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. |
| 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD. | 22A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. |
| 23The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly. | 23The poor man pleads, but the rich one answers roughly. |
| 24A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | 24A man with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. |
|
    |