| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. | 1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his speech and is a fool. |
| 2Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet. | 2It is dangerous to have zeal without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily makes poor choices. |
| 3The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD. | 3A person's folly subverts his way, and his heart rages against the LORD. |
| 4Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend. | 4Wealth adds many friends, but a poor person is separated from 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 the one who spouts out lies will not escape punishment. |
| 6Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts. | 6Many people entreat the favor of a generous person, and everyone is the friend of the person who gives gifts. |
| 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 relatives of a poor person hate him; how much more do his friends avoid him--he pursues them with words, but they do not respond. |
| 8He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good. | 8The one who acquires wisdom loves himself; the one who preserves understanding will prosper. |
| 9A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish. | 9A false witness will not go unpunished, and the one who spouts out lies will perish. |
| 10Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes. | 10Luxury is not appropriate for a fool; how much less for a servant to rule over princes! |
| 11The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. | 11A person's wisdom makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory 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 wrath 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 child is the ruin of his father, and a contentious wife is like a constant dripping. |
| 14Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD. | 14A house and wealth are inherited from parents, 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 a deep sleep, and the idle person will go hungry. |
| 16He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die. | 16The one who obeys commandments guards his life; the one who despises his ways will die. |
| 17He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given. | 17The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the LORD, and the LORD will repay him for his good deed. |
| 18Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction. | 18Discipline your child, for there is hope, but do not set your heart on causing his death. |
| 19A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. | 19A person with great anger bears the penalty, but if you deliver him from it once, you will have to do it again. |
| 20Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. | 20Listen to advice and receive discipline, that you may become wise by the end of your life. |
| 21There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand. | 21There are many plans in a person's mind, but it is the counsel of the LORD which will stand. |
| 22What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. | 22What is desirable for a person is to show loyal love, and a poor person is better 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. | 23Fearing the LORD leads to life, and one who does so will live satisfied; he will not be afflicted by calamity. |
| 24A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. | 24The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish, and 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. | 25Flog a scorner, and as a result the simpleton will learn prudence; correct a discerning person, and as a result he will understand knowledge. |
| 26He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach. | 26The one who robs his father and chases away 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 stop listening to instruction, my child, you will stray from the words of knowledge. |
| 28A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. | 28A crooked witness scorns justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. |
| 29Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools. | 29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and floggings for the backs of fools. |
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