English Standard Version ESV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
1
The one who lives alone is self-indulgent, showing contempt for all who have sound judgment.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
2
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
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When wickedness comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
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The words of the mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
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It is not right to be partial to the guilty, or to subvert the innocent in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.
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A fool's lips bring strife, and a fool's mouth invites a flogging.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
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The mouths of fools are their ruin, and their lips a snare to themselves.
8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
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The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
9
One who is slack in work is close kin to a vandal.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
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The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.
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The wealth of the rich is their strong city; in their imagination it is like a high wall.
12 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
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Before destruction one's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor.
13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
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If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame.
14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
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The human spirit will endure sickness; but a broken spirit—who can bear?
15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
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An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.
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A gift opens doors; it gives access to the great.
17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
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The one who first states a case seems right, until the other comes and cross-examines.
18 The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders.
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Casting the lot puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.
19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
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An ally offended is stronger than a city; such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
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From the fruit of the mouth one's stomach is satisfied; the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
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Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
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He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.
23 The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
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The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.