| New King James Version | King James Bible |
| 1Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. | 1Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. |
| 2A good man obtains favor from the LORD, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. | 2A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. |
| 3A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved. | 3A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. |
| 4An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. | 4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. |
| 5The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. | 5The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. |
| 6The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them. | 6The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. |
| 7The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand. | 7The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. |
| 8A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised. | 8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. |
| 9Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread. | 9He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. |
| 10A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. | 10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. |
| 11He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding. | 11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. |
| 12The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. | 12The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. |
| 13The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble. | 13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. |
| 14A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him. | 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. |
| 15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. | 15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. |
| 16A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame. | 16A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. |
| 17He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit. | 17He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. |
| 18There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. | 18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. |
| 19The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment. | 19The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. |
| 20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. | 20Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy. |
| 21No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil. | 21There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. |
| 22Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. | 22Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. |
| 23A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. | 23A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. |
| 24The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. | 24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. |
| 25Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. | 25Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. |
| 26The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. | 26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. |
| 27The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession. | 27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. |
| 28In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death. | 28In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. |
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