| New King James Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. | 1Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse. |
| 2Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet. | 2Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark. |
| 3The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD. | 3A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD. |
| 4Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend. | 4Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. |
| 5A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape. | 5A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape. |
| 6Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts. | 6Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver. |
| 7All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him. | 7All the brothers of a poor man hate him—how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found. |
| 8He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good. | 8He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success. |
| 9A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish. | 9A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish. |
| 10Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes. | 10Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! |
| 11The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. | 11A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. |
| 12The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass. | 12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. |
| 13A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping. | 13A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. |
| 14Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD. | 14Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. |
| 15Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger. | 15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger. |
| 16He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die. | 16He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die. |
| 17He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given. | 17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender. |
| 18Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction. | 18Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death. |
| 19A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. | 19A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again. |
| 20Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. | 20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. |
| 21There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand. | 21Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail. |
| 22What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. | 22The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar. |
| 23The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. | 23The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm. |
| 24A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. | 24The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth. |
| 25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge. | 25Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge. |
| 26He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach. | 26He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. |
| 27Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge. | 27If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge. |
| 28A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. | 28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity. |
| 29Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools. | 29Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools. |
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