1 A man hating sharp words and making his heart hard, will suddenly be broken and will not be made well again.

1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

1 A man who hardens his neck after (A)much reproofWill (B)suddenly be broken (a)beyond remedy.

1 One who becomes stiff-necked,after many reprimandswill be shattered instantly—beyond recovery.(A)

1 After many rebukes, the stiff-necked man will be broken incurably, without any warning.

2 When the upright have power, the people are glad; when an evil man is ruler, grief comes on the people.

2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

2 When the (C)righteous (b)increase, the people rejoice,But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,but when the wicked rule, people groan.(B)

2 As the righteous grow powerful, people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, people groan.

3 A man who is a lover of wisdom is a joy to his father: but he who goes in the company of loose women is a waster of wealth.

3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

3 A man who (D)loves wisdom makes his father glad,But he who (E)keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth.

3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,(C)but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.(D)

3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but anyone who consorts with immoral women squanders his wealth.

4 A king, by right rule, makes the land safe; but one full of desires makes it a waste.

4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

4 The (F)king gives stability to the land by justice,But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.

4 By justice a king brings stability to a land,(E)but a man who demands “contributions”(a)demolishes it.(F)

4 A king brings stability to a land through justice, but a man who takes bribes brings it to ruin.

5 A man who says smooth things to his neighbour is stretching out a net for his steps.

5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

5 A man who (G)flatters his neighborIs spreading a net for his steps.

5 A man who flatters(b) his neighborspreads a net for his feet.(G)

5 A strong man who flatters his neighbor is setting a trap where he walks.

6 In the steps of an evil man there is a net for him, but the upright man gets away quickly and is glad.

6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

6 By transgression an evil man is (H)ensnared,But the righteous (I)sings and rejoices.

6 An evil man is caught by sin,(H)but the righteous one sings and rejoices.(I)

6 An evil man is trapped by transgression, but the righteous person sings and rejoices.

7 The upright man gives attention to the cause of the poor: the evil-doer gives no thought to it.

7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

7 The (J)righteous (c)is concerned for the rights of the poor,The wicked does not understand such (d)concern.

7 The righteous person knows the rights(c) of the poor,(J)but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.

7 The righteous person is concerned about the poor; but the wicked don't understand what they need to know.

8 Men of pride are the cause of violent acts in a town, but by wise men wrath is turned away.

8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

8 Scorners (K)set a city aflame,But (L)wise men turn away anger.

8 Mockers inflame a city,(K)but the wise turn away anger.

8 Scornful men enflame a city, but the wise defuse anger.

9 If a wise man goes to law with a foolish man, he may be angry or laughing, but there will be no rest.

9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

9 When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man,(e)The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool,there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.(d)(L)

9 When a wise man has a dispute with a fool, the fool either rages or laughs without relief.

10 Men of blood are haters of the good man, and evil-doers go after his soul.

10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

10 Men of (M)bloodshed hate the blameless,But the upright (f)are concerned for his life.

10 Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person,(M)but the upright care about him.(e)

10 Bloodthirsty men hate the innocent person, but the upright show concern for his life.

11 A foolish man lets out all his wrath, but a wise man keeps it back quietly.

11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

11 A (N)fool (g)always loses his temper,But a (O)wise man holds it back.

11 A fool gives full vent to his anger,(f)(N)but a wise man holds it in check.(O)

11 The fool vents all his feelings, but the wise person keeps them to himself.

12 If a ruler gives attention to false words, all his servants are evil-doers.

12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

12 If a (P)ruler pays attention to falsehood,All his ministers become wicked.

12 If a ruler listens to lies,(P)all his officials will be wicked.

12 When a ruler is listening to lies, all of his officials tend to become wicked.

13 The poor man and his creditor come face to face: the Lord gives light to their eyes equally.

13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.

13 The (Q)poor man and the oppressor (h)have this in common:The Lord gives (R)light to the eyes of both.

13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:(g)the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.(Q)

13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: the LORD gave them both eyes with which to see.

14 The king who is a true judge in the cause of the poor, will be safe for ever on the seat of his power.

14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

14 If a (S)king judges the poor with truth,His (T)throne will be established forever.

14 A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever.(R)

14 When a king faithfully administers justice to the poor, his throne will be established forever.

15 The rod and sharp words give wisdom: but a child who is not guided is a cause of shame to his mother.

15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

15 The (U)rod and reproof give wisdom,But a child (i)who gets his own way (V)brings shame to his mother.

15 A rod of correction imparts wisdom,(S)but a youth left to himself(h)is a disgrace to his mother.(T)

15 The rod and rebuke bestow wisdom, but an undisciplined child brings shame to his mother.

16 When evil men are in power, wrongdoing is increased; but the upright will have pleasure when they see their downfall.

16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

16 When the wicked (j)increase, transgression increases;But the (W)righteous will see their fall.

16 When the wicked increase, rebellion increases,but the righteous will see their downfall.(U)

16 As the wicked grow powerful, transgression increases, but the righteous will observe their downfall.

17 Give your son training, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul.

17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

17 (X)Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;He will also (k)(Y)delight your soul.

17 Discipline your son, and it will bring you peace of mind(V)and give you delight.

17 Correct your son and he will comfort you; he will also delight your soul.

18 Where there is no vision, the people are uncontrolled; but he who keeps the law will be happy.

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

18 Where there is (Z)no (l)vision, the people (AA)are unrestrained,But (AB)happy is he who keeps the law.

18 Without revelation(i)(W) people run wild,(X)but one who listens to instruction will be happy.(Y)

18 Without prophetic vision, people abandon restraint, but those who obey the Law are happy.

19 A servant will not be trained by words; for though the sense of the words is clear to him, he will not give attention.

19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

19 A slave will not be instructed by words alone;For though he understands, there will be no response.

19 A slave cannot be disciplined by words;though he understands, he doesn’t respond.(Z)

19 By mere words a servant will not be corrected; even though he understands, there will be no response.

20 Have you seen a man who is quick with his tongue? There is more hope for a foolish man than for him.

20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

20 Do you see a man who is (AC)hasty in his words?There is (AD)more hope for a fool than for him.

20 Do you see a man who speaks too soon?(AA)There is more hope for a fool than for him.(AB)

20 Do you see a man who speaks hastily? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21 If a servant is gently cared for from his early years, he will become a cause of sorrow in the end.

21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

21 He who pampers his slave from childhoodWill in the end find him to be a son.

21 A slave pampered from his youthwill become arrogant(j) later on.

21 If you pamper a servant from his childhood, later on he'll become ungrateful.

22 An angry man is the cause of fighting, and a man given to wrath does much wrong.

22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

22 An (AE)angry man stirs up strife,And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

22 An angry man stirs up conflict,and a hot-tempered man(k) increases rebellion.(AC)

22 An angry man stirs up arguments, and a hot-tempered man causes many transgressions.

23 A man's pride will be the cause of his fall, but he who has a gentle spirit will get honour.

23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

23 A man’s (AF)pride will bring him low,But a (AG)humble spirit will obtain honor.

23 A person’s pride will humble him,(AD)but a humble spirit will gain honor.(AE)

23 A person's pride will bring about his downfall, but the humble in spirit will gain honor.

24 A man who takes part with a thief has hate for his soul; he is put under oath, but says nothing.

24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

24 He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life;He (AH)hears the oath but tells nothing.

24 To be a thief’s partner is to hate oneself;he hears the curse but will not testify.(l)(AF)

24 A thief's accomplice hates himself; though testifying under oath, he reveals nothing.

25 The fear of man is a cause of danger: but whoever puts his faith in the Lord will have a safe place on high.

25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

25 The (AI)fear of man (m)brings a snare,But he who (AJ)trusts in the Lord will be exalted.

25 The fear of man is a snare,(AG)but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.(m)(AH)

25 Fearing any human being is a trap, but confiding in the LORD keeps anyone safe.

26 The approval of a ruler is desired by great numbers: but the decision in a man's cause comes from the Lord.

26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

26 (AK)Many seek the ruler’s (n)favor,But (AL)justice for man comes from the Lord.

26 Many seek a ruler’s favor,(AI)but a man receives justice from the Lord.(AJ)

26 Many seek a ruler's favor, but justice for a man comes from the LORD.

27 An evil man is disgusting to the upright, and he who is upright is disgusting to evil-doers.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

27 An (AM)unjust man is abominable to the righteous,And he who is (AN)upright in the way is abominable to the wicked.

27 An unjust man is detestable to the righteous,and one whose way is uprightis detestable to the wicked.(AK)

27 The unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and whoever lives blamelessly is detestable to the wicked.

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

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