English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
14 "Bad, bad," says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts.
14
“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer— then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
15 There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
15
Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.
16
Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
17
Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
18 Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.
18
Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
19
A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
20 If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.
20
If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
21 An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.
21
An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.
22 Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.
22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.
23 Unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good.
23
The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.
24 A man's steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
24
A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?
25 It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows.
25
It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows.
26 A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them.
26
A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts.
27
The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one’s inmost being.
28 Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.
28
Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.
29
The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.
30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.
30
Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
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.