New King James Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

1Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

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

2The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

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

3It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.

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

4The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing.

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

5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.

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

6Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?

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

7The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.

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

8A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters 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 made 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, They are both alike, an abomination to the LORD.

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

11Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right.

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

12The hearing ear and the seeing eye, 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 come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.

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

14“It is good for nothing,” cries the buyer; But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.

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

15There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

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

16Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger, And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.

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

17Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, 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; By wise counsel wage war.

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

19He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.

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

20Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.

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

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

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

22Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

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

23Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD, And dishonest scales are not good.

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

24A man’s steps are of the LORD; How then can a man 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 man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows.

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

26A wise king sifts out the wicked, And brings the threshing wheel over them.

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

27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.

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

28Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.

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 their gray head.

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

30Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.

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

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. 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