| The Darby Translation (DBY) | New International Version (NIV) |
| 1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife. | 1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. |
| 2 A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren. | 2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. |
| 3 The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts. | 3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. |
| 4 The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue. | 4 A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue. |
| 5 Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent. | 5 He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. |
| 6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. | 6 Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. |
| 7 Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble! | 7 Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool-- how much worse lying lips to a ruler! |
| 8 A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth. | 8 A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds. |
| 9 He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends. | 9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. |
| 10 A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool. | 10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. |
| 11 An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. | 11 An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him. |
| 12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly. | 12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. |
| 13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. | 13 If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house. |
| 14 The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement. | 14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. |
| 15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah. | 15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent-- the LORD detests them both. |
| 16 To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense? | 16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom? |
| 17 The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. | 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. |
| 18 A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour. | 18 A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor. |
| 19 He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction. | 19 He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction. |
| 20 He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil. | 20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble. |
| 21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy. | 21 To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool. |
| 22 A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones. | 22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. |
| 23 A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment. | 23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice. |
| 24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. | 24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. |
| 25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him. | 25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him. |
| 26 To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness. | 26 It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity. |
| 27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit. | 27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. |
| 28 Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent. | 28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. |
| The Darby Translation is in the public domain. (The Darby Translation Bible Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |