Proverbs 9-16 (Translated)

## Contents

* 1 Chapter 9
* 2 Chapter 10
* 3 Chapter 11
* 4 Chapter 12
* 5 Chapter 13
* 6 Chapter 14
* 7 Chapter 15
* 8 Chapter 16

## Chapter 9[edit]

Verse  | King James Version  | Proposed Conservative Translation  | Analysis

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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[edit]

Verse  | King James Version  | Proposed Conservative Translation  | Analysis

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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[edit]

Verse  | King James Version  | Proposed Conservative Translation  | Analysis

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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[edit]

Verse  | King James Version  | Proposed Conservative Translation  | Analysis

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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[edit]

Verse  | King James Version  | Proposed Conservative Translation  | Analysis

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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[edit]

Verse  | King James Version  | Proposed Conservative Translation  | Analysis

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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[edit]

Verse  | King James Version  | Proposed Conservative Translation  | Analysis

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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[edit]

Verse  | King James Version  | Proposed Conservative Translation  | Analysis

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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.  |  |