New Living Translation NLT
Hebrew Names Version HNV
1 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.
1
Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler; Whoever is let astray by them is not wise.
2 The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life.
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The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion: He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.
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It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarreling.
4 Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.
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The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.
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Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?
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Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, But who can find a faithful man?
7 The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
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A righteous man who walks in his integrity, Blessed are his children after him.
8 When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.
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A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?
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Who can say, "I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?"
10 False weights and unequal measures — the LORD detests double standards of every kind.
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Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
11 Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.
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Even a child makes himself known by his doings, Whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12 Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the LORD .
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The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, The LORD has made even both of them.
13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!
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Don't love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain!
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"It's no good, it's no good," says the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15 Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.
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There is gold and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.
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Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; And hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17 Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.
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Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, But afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.
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Plans are established by advice; By wise guidance you wage war!
19 A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.
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He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; Therefore don't keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20 If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.
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Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end.
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An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, Won't be blessed in the end.
22 Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.
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Don't say, "I will pay back evil." Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.
23 The LORD detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales.
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The LORD detests differing weights, And dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24 The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
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A man's steps are from the LORD; How then can man understand his way?
25 Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost.
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It is a snare to a man make a rash dedication, And later reconsider his vows.
26 A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat, then runs his threshing wheel over them.
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A wise king winnows out the wicked, And drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 The LORD ’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.
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The spirit of man is the LORD's lamp, Searching all his innermost parts.
28 Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.
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Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
29 The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.
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The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.
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Wounding blows cleanse away evil, And beatings purge the innermost parts.