| New King James Version | English Standard Version |
| 1A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. | 1Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. |
| 2A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. | 2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. |
| 3When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach. | 3When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes 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; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. |
| 5It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment. | 5It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. |
| 6A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. | 6A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. |
| 7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. | 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. |
| 8The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. | 8The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. |
| 9He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. | 9Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. |
| 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. | 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. |
| 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 strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. |
| 12Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility. | 12Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. |
| 13He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. | 13If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. |
| 14The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit? | 14A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? |
| 15The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. | 15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. |
| 16A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. | 16A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. |
| 17The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. | 17The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. |
| 18Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart. | 18The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. |
| 19A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. | 19A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. |
| 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 a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. |
| 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. | 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. |
| 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD. | 22He 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 use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. |
| 24A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | 24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. |
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