Chapter 9
| Verse | King James Version | Proposed Conservative Translation | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: | ||
| 2 | She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. | ||
| 3 | She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, | ||
| 4 | Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, | ||
| 5 | Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. | ||
| 6 | Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. | ||
| 7 | He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. | ||
| 8 | Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. | ||
| 9 | Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. | ||
| 10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. | ||
| 11 | For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. | ||
| 12 | If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. | ||
| 13 | A foolish woman is clamourous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. | ||
| 14 | For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, | ||
| 15 | To call passengers who go right on their ways: | ||
| 16 | Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, | ||
| 17 | Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. | ||
| 18 | But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. |
Chapter 10
| Verse | King James Version | Proposed Conservative Translation | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. | ||
| 2 | Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. | ||
| 3 | The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. | ||
| 4 | He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. | ||
| 5 | He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame. | ||
| 6 | Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. | ||
| 7 | The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. | ||
| 8 | The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall. | ||
| 9 | He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. | ||
| 10 | He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall. | ||
| 11 | The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. | ||
| 12 | Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. | ||
| 13 | In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. | ||
| 14 | Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. | ||
| 15 | The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. | ||
| 16 | The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin. | ||
| 17 | He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. | ||
| 18 | He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. | ||
| 19 | In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. | ||
| 20 | The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. | ||
| 21 | The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. | ||
| 22 | The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. | ||
| 23 | It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom. | ||
| 24 | The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. | ||
| 25 | As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. | ||
| 26 | As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him. | ||
| 27 | The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. | ||
| 28 | The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. | ||
| 29 | The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. | ||
| 30 | The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. | ||
| 31 | The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. | ||
| 32 | The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. |
Chapter 11
| Verse | King James Version | Proposed Conservative Translation | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. | this verse is cited to oppose grade inflation | |
| 2 | When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. | When arrogance takes hold, humiliation results; but modesty yields wisdom. | זָדוֹן means pride in the sense of arrogance and presumptuousness; given the context of discussing wisdom, its original meaning is "intellectual arrogance"; בּוֹא means "enter", "fall upon" or "attack". |
| 3 | The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. | ||
| 4 | Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. | ||
| 5 | The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. | ||
| 6 | The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. | ||
| 7 | When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. | ||
| 8 | The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. | ||
| 9 | An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. | ||
| 10 | When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. | ||
| 11 | By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. | ||
| 12 | He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. | ||
| 13 | A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. | ||
| 14 | Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety. | ||
| 15 | He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. | ||
| 16 | A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. | ||
| 17 | The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. | ||
| 18 | The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. | ||
| 19 | As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. | ||
| 20 | They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. | ||
| 21 | Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. | ||
| 22 | As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. | ||
| 23 | The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. | ||
| 24 | There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. | ||
| 25 | The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. | ||
| 26 | He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. | ||
| 27 | He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. | ||
| 28 | He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. | ||
| 29 | He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. | ||
| 30 | The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. | ||
| 31 | Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. |
Chapter 12
| Verse | King James Version | Proposed Conservative Translation | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. | ||
| 2 | A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. | ||
| 3 | A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. | ||
| 4 | A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. | ||
| 5 | The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. | ||
| 6 | The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. | ||
| 7 | The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. | ||
| 8 | A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. | ||
| 9 | He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. | ||
| 10 | A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. | ||
| 11 | He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. | ||
| 12 | The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. | ||
| 13 | The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. | ||
| 14 | A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. | ||
| 15 | The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. | ||
| 16 | A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. | ||
| 17 | He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. | ||
| 18 | There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. | ||
| 19 | The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. | ||
| 20 | Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy. | ||
| 21 | There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. | ||
| 22 | Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. | ||
| 23 | A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. | ||
| 24 | The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. | ||
| 25 | Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. | ||
| 26 | The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. | ||
| 27 | The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. | ||
| 28 | In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. |
Chapter 13
| Verse | King James Version | Proposed Conservative Translation | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. | ||
| 2 | A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. | ||
| 3 | He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. | ||
| 4 | The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. | ||
| 5 | A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. | ||
| 6 | Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. | ||
| 7 | There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. | ||
| 8 | The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. | ||
| 9 | The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. | ||
| 10 | Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. | ||
| 11 | Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. | ||
| 12 | Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. | ||
| 13 | Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. | ||
| 14 | The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. | ||
| 15 | Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. | ||
| 16 | Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. | ||
| 17 | A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. | ||
| 18 | Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. | ||
| 19 | The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. | ||
| 20 | He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. | ||
| 21 | Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. | ||
| 22 | A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. | ||
| 23 | Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. | ||
| 24 | He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. | ||
| 25 | The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. |
Chapter 14
| Verse | King James Version | Proposed Conservative Translation | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. | ||
| 2 | He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. | ||
| 3 | In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. | ||
| 4 | Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. | ||
| 5 | A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. | ||
| 6 | A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. | ||
| 7 | Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. | ||
| 8 | The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. | ||
| 9 | Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. | ||
| 10 | The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. | ||
| 11 | The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. | ||
| 12 | There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. | ||
| 13 | Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. | ||
| 14 | The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. | ||
| 15 | The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. | ||
| 16 | A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. | ||
| 17 | He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. | ||
| 18 | The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. | ||
| 19 | The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. | ||
| 20 | The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. | ||
| 21 | He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. | ||
| 22 | Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. | ||
| 23 | In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. | ||
| 24 | The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. | ||
| 25 | A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. | ||
| 26 | In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. | ||
| 27 | The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. | ||
| 28 | In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. | ||
| 29 | He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. | ||
| 30 | A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. | ||
| 31 | He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. | ||
| 32 | The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. | ||
| 33 | Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. | ||
| 34 | Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. | ||
| 35 | The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame. |
Chapter 15
| Verse | King James Version | Proposed Conservative Translation | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. | ||
| 2 | The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. | ||
| 3 | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. | ||
| 4 | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. | ||
| 5 | A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. | ||
| 6 | In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. | ||
| 7 | The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. | ||
| 8 | The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. | ||
| 9 | The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. | ||
| 10 | Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. | ||
| 11 | Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more than the hearts of the children of men? | ||
| 12 | A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. | ||
| 13 | A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. | ||
| 14 | The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. | ||
| 15 | All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. | ||
| 16 | Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. | ||
| 17 | Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. | ||
| 18 | A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. | ||
| 19 | The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. | ||
| 20 | A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. | ||
| 21 | Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. | ||
| 22 | Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established. | ||
| 23 | A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! | ||
| 24 | The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. | ||
| 25 | The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. | the second part is translated by ESV as "... but maintains the widow's boundaries" | |
| 26 | The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. | ||
| 27 | He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. | ||
| 28 | The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. | ||
| 29 | The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. | ||
| 30 | The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. | ||
| 31 | The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. | ||
| 32 | He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. | ||
| 33 | The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. |
Chapter 16
| Verse | King James Version | Proposed Conservative Translation | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. | ||
| 2 | All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. | ||
| 3 | Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. | ||
| 4 | The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. | ||
| 5 | Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. | ||
| 6 | By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. | ||
| 7 | When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. | ||
| 8 | Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. | ||
| 9 | A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. | ||
| 10 | A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. | ||
| 11 | A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work. | ||
| 12 | It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. | ||
| 13 | Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. | ||
| 14 | The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. | ||
| 15 | In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. | ||
| 16 | How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! | ||
| 17 | The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. | ||
| 18 | Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. | ||
| 19 | Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. | ||
| 20 | He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. | ||
| 21 | The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. | ||
| 22 | Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. | ||
| 23 | The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. | ||
| 24 | Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. | ||
| 25 | There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. | ||
| 26 | He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. | ||
| 27 | An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. | ||
| 28 | A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. | ||
| 29 | A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. | ||
| 30 | He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. | ||
| 31 | The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. | ||
| 32 | He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. | ||
| 33 | The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. |