1 ¶ Whosoever loves chastening loves knowledge, but he that hates reproof is carnal.

Whoever loves instruction and correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is like a brute beast, stupid and indiscriminating.

2 ¶ The good man shall attain the favour of the LORD, but the man of wicked thoughts he will condemn.

A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked devices He condemns.

3 ¶ Man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall never be moved.

4 ¶ The virtuous woman is a crown to her husband, but she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

A virtuous and worthy wife is a crowning joy to her husband, but she who makes him ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

5 ¶ The thoughts of the righteous are upright, but the astuteness of the wicked is deceit.

The thoughts and purposes of the righteous are honest and reliable, but the counsels and designs of the wicked are treacherous.

6 ¶ The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them and the innocent ones.

7 ¶ God shall overthrow the wicked, and they shall not be any longer, but the house of the righteous shall remain.

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.

A man shall be commended according to his Wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9 ¶ He that despises himself and becomes a slave is better than he that honours himself and lacks bread.

Better is he who is lightly esteemed but works for his own support than he who assumes honor for himself and lacks bread.

10 ¶ The righteous is merciful even unto his beast, but the piety of the wicked is cruel.

A righteous man regards the life of his beast, but even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 ¶ He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he that follows vain persons is void of understanding.

He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits is lacking in sense and is without understanding.

12 ¶ The wicked desires the net of evil men, but the root of the righteous shall yield fruit.

The wicked desire the booty of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields.

13 ¶ The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the just shall come out of the tribulation.

The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.

14 ¶ Man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.

From the fruit of his words a man shall be satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hands shall come back to him.

15 ¶ The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but he that hears counsel is wise.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise.

16 ¶ A fool’s wrath is presently known, but he who covers the injury is sane.

A fool’s wrath is quickly and openly known, but a prudent man ignores an insult.

17 ¶ He that speaks truth shows forth righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.

He who breathes out truth shows forth righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), but a false witness utters deceit.

18 ¶ There are those that speak like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is medicine.

There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 ¶ The lip of truth shall be established for ever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Truthful lips shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 ¶ Deceit is in the heart of those whose thoughts are evil, but joy in that of those whose thoughts are good.

Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but for the counselors of peace there is joy.

21 ¶ No iniquity shall overtake the righteous: but the wicked shall be filled with evil.

No evil, misfortune, or calamity shall come upon the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil, misfortune, and calamity.

22 ¶ Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but the workers of the truth are his delight.

Lying lips are extremely disgusting and hateful to the Lord, but they who deal faithfully are His delight.

23 ¶ The sane man conceals his wisdom: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

A prudent man is reluctant to display his knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims their folly.

24 ¶ The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the negligent shall be under tribute.

The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.

25 ¶ Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad.

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.

26 ¶ The righteous causes his neighbour to consider: but the way of the wicked causes them to err.

The righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked causes others to go astray.

27 ¶ The deceitful man does not even roast that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

The slothful man does not catch his game or roast it once he kills it, but the diligent man gets precious possessions.

28 ¶ In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Life is in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), and in its pathway there is no death but immortality (perpetual, eternal life).