| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery. | 1Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. |
| 2When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. | 2When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. |
| 3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. | 3The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted. |
| 4By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it. | 4A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it. |
| 5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. | 5To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet. |
| 6An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices. | 6Evil people are trapped by sin, but the righteous escape, shouting for joy. |
| 7The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns. | 7The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all. |
| 8Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. | 8Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but the wise will calm anger. |
| 9If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. | 9If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction. |
| 10Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life. | 10The bloodthirsty hate blameless people, but the upright seek to help them. |
| 11A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back. | 11Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. |
| 12If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked. | 12If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked. |
| 13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both. | 13The poor and the oppressor have this in common— the LORD gives sight to the eyes of both. |
| 14A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever. | 14If a king judges the poor fairly, his throne will last forever. |
| 15A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. | 15To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. |
| 16When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall. | 16When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall. |
| 17Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul. | 17Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad. |
| 18Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law. | 18When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. |
| 19A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond. | 19Words alone will not discipline a servant; the words may be understood, but they are not heeded. |
| 20Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. | 20There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. |
| 21A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end. | 21A servant pampered from childhood will become a rebel. |
| 22An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. | 22An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin. |
| 23A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. | 23Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. |
| 24A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify. | 24If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself. You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify. |
| 25The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high. | 25Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety. |
| 26Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD. | 26Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from the LORD. |
| 27An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked. | 27The righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly. |
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