| English Standard Version | New Living Translation |
| 1He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing. | 1Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. |
| 2When the righteous increase, 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. |
| 3He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, 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 builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down. | 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 ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices. | 6Evil people are trapped by sin, but the righteous escape, shouting for joy. |
| 7A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge. | 7The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all. |
| 8Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath. | 8Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but the wise will calm anger. |
| 9If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet. | 9If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction. |
| 10Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright. | 10The bloodthirsty hate blameless people, but the upright seek to help them. |
| 11A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. | 11Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. |
| 12If a ruler listens to falsehood, 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 meet together; 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. |
| 14If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever. | 14If a king judges the poor fairly, his throne will last forever. |
| 15The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. | 15To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. |
| 16When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon 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 give delight to your heart. | 17Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad. |
| 18Where there is no prophetic 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. |
| 19By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for 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 is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. | 20There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. |
| 21Whoever pampers his servant from childhood will in the end find him his heir. | 21A servant pampered from childhood will become a rebel. |
| 22A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression. | 22An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin. |
| 23One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. | 23Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. |
| 24The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse, but discloses nothing. | 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 lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe. | 25Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety. |
| 26Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice. | 26Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from the LORD. |
| 27An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked. | 27The righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly. |
| 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. | 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. |
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