Holman Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

1Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler, and whoever staggers because of them is not wise.

1Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.

2A king's terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion; anyone who provokes him endangers himself.

2The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life.

3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.

3Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.

4The slacker does not plow during planting season; at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing.

4Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.

5Counsel in a man's heart is deep water; but a man of understanding draws it out.

5Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.

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

6Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?

7The one who lives with integrity is righteous; his children who come after him will be happy.

7The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.

8A king sitting on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.

8When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.

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

9Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?

10Differing weights and varying measures-- both are detestable to the LORD.

10False weights and unequal measures — the LORD detests double standards of every kind.

11Even a young man is known by his actions-- if his behavior is pure and upright.

11Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

12The hearing ear and the seeing eye-- the LORD made them both.

12Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the LORD.

13Don't love sleep, or you will become poor; open your eyes, and you'll have enough to eat."

13If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!

14It's worthless, it's worthless!" the buyer says, but after he is on his way, he gloats.

14The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain!

15There is gold and a multitude of jewels, but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.

15Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.

16Take his garment, for he has put up security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for foreigners.

16Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.

17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.

17Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.

18Finalize plans with counsel, and wage war with sound guidance.

18Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.

19The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.

19A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.

20Whoever curses his father or mother-- his lamp will go out in deep darkness.

20If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.

21An inheritance gained prematurely will not be blessed ultimately.

21An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end.

22Don't say, "I will avenge this evil!" Wait on the LORD, and He will rescue you.

22Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.

23Differing weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are unfair.

23The LORD detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales.

24A man's steps are determined by the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?

24The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

25It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly and later to reconsider his vows.

25Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost.

26A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.

26A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat, then runs his threshing wheel over them.

27The LORD's lamp sheds light on a person's life, searching the innermost parts.

27The LORD’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.

28Loyalty and faithfulness deliver a king; through loyalty he maintains his throne.

28Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.

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

29The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.

30Lashes and wounds purge away evil, and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.

30Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.