New International Version NIV
Lexham English Bible LEB
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 drink a brawler, and any who go astray by it are not wise.
2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.
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Roaring like the lion [is the] dreaded anger of a king; he who provokes him forfeits his life.
3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
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[It is] honorable for the man to refrain from strife, but every fool will be quick to quarrel.
4 Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
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The lazy person will not plow in season; he will expect at the harvest, but there [will be] nothing.
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.
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Deep waters [are like] purpose in the heart of a man, and a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?
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Many a person will proclaim his loyalty [for] himself, but a man [who is] trustworthy, who can find?
7 The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.
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He who walks in his integrity [is] righteous; happy are his children who follow him.
8 When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
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A king who sits on [the] throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?
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Who will say "I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"?
10 Differing weights and differing measures— the LORD detests them both.
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Stone and stone, measure and measure, {both of them} [are] an abomination of Yahweh.
11 Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?
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Even by his acts, a {young man} will make himself known, whether his acts are pure and upright.
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
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The ear that hears and the eye that sees, Yahweh has 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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Do not love sleep, lest you become poor; open your eyes [and] have plenty bread.
14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer— then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
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"Bad, bad," the buyer will say, but [when] one goes to him, then he will boast.
15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
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There is gold and many costly stones, but precious jewels are lips of knowledge.
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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Take his garment, for he has given security [to] a stranger, and on behalf of a foreigner--take it as pledge.
17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
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Bread gained by deceit is sweet for the man, but afterward, his mouth will be filled [with] gravel.
18 Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
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A plan will be established by advice, and with guidance make war.
19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
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He reveals a secret, he who walks [about with] gossip, and do not associate with a babbler's lips.
20 If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
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He who curses his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished {in the midst of darkness}.
21 An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.
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An inheritance acquired [hastily] {at the beginning} will not be blessed at its 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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Do not say "I will repay evil"; wait for Yahweh and he will deliver you.
23 The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.
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An abomination of Yahweh [is] {a stone and a weight}, and scales of falsehood 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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[Away] from Yahweh are the steps of a strong man, and how will humankind understand his 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 humankind to say rashly "[It is] holy," and after vows, to scrutinize.
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, and he will drive a wheel over them.
27 The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one’s inmost being.
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The lamp of Yahweh [is] the spirit of humankind, he who searches every {innermost part}.
28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.
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Loyalty and faithfulness will preserve a king, and he is upheld with the righteousness of his throne.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.
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The glory of young men [is] their strength, but the beauty of the aged [is] gray hair.
30 Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.
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The blows of a wound will cleanse evil, as will beatings of the {innermost part}.