| New King James Version | New International Version |
| 1Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. | 1Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. |
| 2The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life. | 2A king's wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives. |
| 3It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel. | 3It is to one's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. |
| 4The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing. | 4Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. |
| 5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out. | 5The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. |
| 6Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? | 6Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? |
| 7The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him. | 7The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them. |
| 8A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters all evil with his eyes. | 8When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes. |
| 9Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin”? | 9Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"? |
| 10Diverse weights and diverse measures, They are both alike, an abomination to the LORD. | 10Differing weights and differing measures-- the LORD detests them both. |
| 11Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right. | 11Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright? |
| 12The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made them both. | 12Ears that hear and eyes that see-- the LORD has made them both. |
| 13Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread. | 13Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. |
| 14“It is good for nothing,” cries the buyer; But when he has gone his way, then he boasts. | 14"It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer-- then goes off and boasts about the purchase. |
| 15There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. | 15Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. |
| 16Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger, And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress. | 16Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider. |
| 17Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. | 17Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel. |
| 18Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war. | 18Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance. |
| 19He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips. | 19A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much. |
| 20Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness. | 20If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness. |
| 21An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end. | 21An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end. |
| 22Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. | 22Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. |
| 23Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD, And dishonest scales are not good. | 23The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. |
| 24A man’s steps are of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way? | 24A person's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way? |
| 25It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows. | 25It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one's vows. |
| 26A wise king sifts out the wicked, And brings the threshing wheel over them. | 26A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them. |
| 27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. | 27The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one's inmost being. |
| 28Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne. | 28Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. |
| 29The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head. | 29The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. |
| 30Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart. | 30Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | 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. |
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