| New International Version | New Living Translation |
| 1A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. | 1Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. |
| 2Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. | 2The rich and poor have this in common: The LORD made them both. |
| 3The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. | 3A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. |
| 4Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. | 4True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life. |
| 5In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. | 5Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it. |
| 6Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. | 6Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. |
| 7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. | 7Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. |
| 8Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. | 8Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end. |
| 9The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. | 9Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. |
| 10Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. | 10Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear. |
| 11One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. | 11Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend. |
| 12The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. | 12The LORD preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous. |
| 13The sluggard says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the public square!" | 13The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!” |
| 14The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the LORD's wrath falls into it. | 14The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the LORD angry will fall into it. |
| 15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. | 15A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away. |
| 16One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty. | 16A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. Sayings of the Wise |
| 17Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, | 17Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. |
| 18for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. | 18For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. |
| 19So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. | 19I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the LORD. |
| 20Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, | 20I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. |
| 21teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? | 21In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you. |
| 22Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, | 22Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court. |
| 23for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life. | 23For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them. |
| 24Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, | 24Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, |
| 25or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. | 25or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. |
| 26Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; | 26Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else. |
| 27if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. | 27If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you. |
| 28Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors. | 28Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations. |
| 29Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank. | 29Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people. |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | 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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