New International Version NIV
The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
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Wine is a mocker, strong liquor a rowdy; anyone led astray by it is unwise.
2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.
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The dread of a king is like when a lion roars; he who makes him angry commits a life-threatening sin.
3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
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Avoiding quarrels brings a person honor; for any fool can explode in anger.
4 Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
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A lazy person won't plow in winter; so at harvest-time, when he looks, there is nothing.
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.
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The heart's real intentions are like deep water; but a person with discernment draws them out.
6 Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?
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Most people announce that they show kindness, but who can find someone faithful [enough to do it]?
7 The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.
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The righteous live a life of integrity; happy are their children after them.
8 When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
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The king seated on his judgment throne can winnow out all evil with his glance.
9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?
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Who can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am cleansed from my sin"?
10 Differing weights and differing measures— the LORD detests them both.
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False weights and false measures -ADONAI detests them both.
11 Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?
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The character of even a child is known by how he acts, by whether his deeds are pure and right.
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
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The hearing ear and the seeing eye -ADONAI made them both.
13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.
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If you love sleep, you will become poor; keep your eyes open, and you'll have plenty of food.
14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer— then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
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"Really bad stuff!" says the buyer [to the seller]; then he goes off and brags [about his bargain].
15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
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A person may have gold and a wealth of pearls, but lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
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Seize his clothes, because he guaranteed a stranger's loan; take them as security for that unknown woman.
17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
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Food obtained by fraud may taste good, but later the mouth is full of gravel.
18 Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
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After consultation, plans succeed; so take wise advice when waging war.
19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
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A gossip goes around revealing secrets, so don't get involved with a talkative person.
20 If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
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Whoever curses his father or mother -his lamp will go out in total darkness.
21 An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.
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Possessions acquired quickly at first will not be blessed in the end.
22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.
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Don't say, "I'll pay back evil for evil"; wait for ADONAI to save you.
23 The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.
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ADONAI detests a double standard in weights, and false scales are not good.
24 A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?
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A man's steps are ordered by ADONAI, so how can a person understand his own ways?
25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows.
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It is a snare to dedicate a gift to God rashly and reflect on the vows only afterwards.
26 A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.
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A wise king winnows the wicked [from the righteous] and threshes them under the cartwheel.
27 The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one’s inmost being.
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The human spirit is a lamp of ADONAI; it searches one's inmost being.
28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.
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Grace and truth preserve a king; with grace he upholds his throne.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.
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The pride of the young is their strength; the dignity of the old is gray hair.
30 Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.
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Blows that wound purge away evil, yes, beatings [cleanse] one's inmost being.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.