| King James Bible | New International Version |
| 1Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. | 1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. |
| 2A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. | 2Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes. |
| 3A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. | 3No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. |
| 4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. | 4A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. |
| 5The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. | 5The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. |
| 6The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. | 6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. |
| 7The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. | 7The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. |
| 8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. | 8A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised. |
| 9He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. | 9Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. |
| 10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. | 10The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. |
| 11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. | 11Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. |
| 12The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. | 12The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures. |
| 13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. | 13Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble. |
| 14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. | 14From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. |
| 15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. | 15The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. |
| 16A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. | 16Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. |
| 17He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. | 17An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies. |
| 18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. | 18The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. |
| 19The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. | 19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. |
| 20Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy. | 20Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. |
| 21There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. | 21No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. |
| 22Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. | 22The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. |
| 23A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. | 23The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool's heart blurts out folly. |
| 24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. | 24Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. |
| 25Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. | 25Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. |
| 26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. | 26The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. |
| 27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. | 27The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. |
| 28In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. | 28In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality. |
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