| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1A good reputation is more desirable than great wealth, and favorable acceptance more than silver and gold. | 1A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold. |
| 2The rich and the poor have this in common— the LORD created both of them. | 2The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD made them both. |
| 3The prudent person sees trouble ahead and hides, but the naive continue on and suffer the consequences. | 3A sensible person sees danger and takes cover, but the inexperienced keep going and are punished. |
| 4The reward of humility is the fear of the LORD, along with wealth, honor, and life. | 4The result of humility is fear of the LORD, along with wealth, honor, and life. |
| 5Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse person, but whoever is cautious stays far away from them. | 5There are thorns and snares on the path of the crooked; the one who guards himself stays far from them. |
| 6Train a child in the way appropriate for him, and when he becomes older, he will not turn from it. | 6Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. |
| 7The wealthy rule over the poor, and anyone who borrows is a slave to the lender. | 7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender. |
| 8Whoever sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the anger he uses for a weapon will be destroyed. | 8The one who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. |
| 9Whoever is generous will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. | 9A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. |
| 10Throw out the mocker and strife departs, too; furthermore, quarrels and discord will end. | 10Drive out a mocker, and conflict goes too; then quarreling and dishonor will cease. |
| 11Whoever loves purity and gracious speech will gain the king as his friend. | 11The one who loves a pure heart and gracious lips--the king is his friend. |
| 12The LORD watches over anyone with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the unfaithful. | 12The LORD's eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous. |
| 13The lazy person says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the street!" | 13The slacker says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the public square!" |
| 14The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; a man experiencing the LORD's wrath will fall into it. | 14The mouth of the forbidden woman is a deep pit; a man cursed by the LORD will fall into it. |
| 15A child's heart has a tendency to do wrong, but the rod of discipline removes it far away from him. | 15Foolishness is tangled up in the heart of a youth; the rod of discipline will drive it away from him. |
| 16Whoever oppresses the poor to enrich himself and whoever gives gifts to the wealthy will yield only loss. | 16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich--both lead only to poverty. |
| 17Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my teaching, | 17Listen closely, pay attention to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge. |
| 18for it is pleasant when you treasure them within you and have them ready on your lips. | 18For it is pleasing if you keep them within you and if they are constantly on your lips. |
| 19As a result, your trust will be in the LORD, that's why I'm teaching you today, even you. | 19I have instructed you today--even you-- so that your confidence may be in the LORD. |
| 20Have I not written for you 30 sayings containing counsel and knowledge, | 20Haven't I written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge, |
| 21to teach you true and reliable advice, so you can give truthful answers to those who sent you? | 21in order to teach you true and reliable words, so that you may give a dependable report to those who sent you? |
| 22Don't rob the poor person because he is poor, and don't crush the helpless in court, | 22Don't rob a poor man because he is poor, and don't crush the oppressed at the gate, |
| 23for the LORD will plead their case and ruin the lives of those who ruin them. | 23for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them. |
| 24Don't make friends with a hot-tempered man, and do not associate with someone who is easily angered, | 24Don't make friends with an angry man, and don't be a companion of a hot-tempered man, |
| 25or you may learn his ways and find yourself caught in a trap. | 25or you will learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. |
| 26Don't be one of those who make promises to guarantee loans for debts. | 26Don't be one of those who enter agreements, who put up security for loans. |
| 27If you don't have the ability to pay, why should your very bed be taken from under you? | 27If you have no money to pay, even your bed will be taken from under you. |
| 28Don't remove an ancient boundary stone that was set up by your ancestors. | 28Don't move an ancient boundary marker that your fathers set up. |
| 29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will work for kings, not unimportant people. | 29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings. He will not stand in the presence of unknown men. |
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