Proverbs 23 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of Proverbs 23 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
ASV When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently him that is before thee;
WEB When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;
YLT When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Thou considerest diligently that which <FI>is<Fi> before thee,
DRB When thou shalt sit to eat with a prince, consider diligently what is set before thy face:
DBY When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider well who is before thee;
GNV When thou sittest to eate with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee,
LSB When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Understand well what is before you,
Verse 2
KJV And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
ASV And put a knife to thy throat, If thou be a man given to appetite.
WEB put a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to appetite.
YLT And thou hast put a knife to thy throat, If thou <FI>art<Fi> a man of appetite.
DRB And put a knife to thy throat, if it be so that thou have thy soul in thy own power.
DBY and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
GNV And put the knife to thy throte, if thou be a man giuen to the appetite.
LSB So you should put a knife to your throat If you are a man of appetite.
Verse 3
KJV Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
ASV Be not desirous of his dainties; Seeing they are deceitful food.
WEB Don’t be desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food.
YLT Have no desire to his dainties, seeing it <FI>is<Fi> lying food.
DRB Be not desirous of his meats, in which is the bread of deceit.
DBY Be not desirous of his dainties; for they are deceitful food.
GNV Be not desirous of his deintie meates: for it is a deceiuable meate.
LSB Do not desire his delicacies, For it is bread of falsehood.
Verse 4
KJV Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
ASV Weary not thyself to be rich; Cease from thine own wisdom.
WEB Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.
YLT Labour not to make wealth, From thine own understanding cease, Dost thou cause thine eyes to fly upon it? Then it is not.
DRB Labour not to be rich: but set bounds to thy prudence.
DBY Weary not thyself to become rich; cease from thine own intelligence:
GNV Trauaile not too much to be rich: but cease from thy wisdome.
LSB Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Because of your understanding, cease!
Verse 5
KJV Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
ASV Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For [riches] certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.
WEB Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
YLT For wealth maketh to itself wings, As an eagle it flieth to the heavens.
DRB Lift not up thy eyes to riches which thou canst not have: because they shall make themselves wings like those of an eagle, and shall fly towards heaven.
DBY wilt thou set thine eyes upon it, it is gone; for indeed it maketh itself wings and it flieth away as an eagle towards the heavens.
GNV Wilt thou cast thine eyes vpon it, which is nothing? for riches taketh her to her wings, as an eagle, and flyeth into the heauen.
LSB Do you make your eyes fly up to see it? But it is not there! Because it certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.
Verse 6
KJV Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
ASV Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, Neither desire thou his dainties:
WEB Don’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, and don’t crave his delicacies:
YLT Eat not the bread of an evil eye, And have no desire to his dainties,
DRB Eat not with an envious man, and desire not his meats:
DBY Eat thou not the food of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainties.
GNV Eate thou not the bread of him that hath an euil eye, neither desire his deintie meates.
LSB Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, And do not desire his delicacies;
Verse 7
KJV For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
ASV For as he thinketh within himself, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.
WEB for as he thinks about the cost, so he is. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
YLT For as he hath thought in his soul, so <FI>is<Fi> he, `Eat and drink,' saith he to thee, And his heart <FI>is<Fi> not with thee.
DRB Because, like a soothsayer, and diviner, he thinketh that which he knoweth not. Eat and drink, will he say to thee: and his mind is not with thee.
DBY For as he thinketh in his soul, so is he. Eat and drink! will he say unto thee; but his heart is not with thee.
GNV For as though he thought it in his heart, so will hee say vnto thee, Eate and drinke: but his heart is not with thee.
LSB For as he calculates in his soul, so he is. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.
Verse 8
KJV The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
ASV The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words.
WEB The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, and lose your good words.
YLT Thy morsel thou hast eaten thou dost vomit up, And hast marred thy words that <FI>are<Fi> sweet.
DRB The meats which thou hadst eaten, thou shalt vomit up: and shalt loose thy beautiful words.
DBY Thy morsel which thou hast eaten must thou vomit up, and thou wilt have wasted thy sweet words.
GNV Thou shalt vomit thy morsels that thou hast eaten, and thou shalt lose thy sweete wordes.
LSB You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten, And you will corrupt your pleasant words.
Verse 9
KJV Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
ASV Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
WEB Don’t speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
YLT In the ears of a fool speak not, For he treadeth on the wisdom of thy words.
DRB Speak not in the ears of fools: because they will despise the instruction of thy speech.
DBY Speak not in the ears of a foolish [man], for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
GNV Speake not in the eares of a foole: for hee will despise the wisdome of thy wordes.
LSB Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the insight of your speech.
Verse 10
KJV Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
ASV Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
WEB Don’t move the ancient boundary stone. Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless:
YLT Remove not a border of olden times, And into fields of the fatherless enter not,
DRB Touch not the bounds of little ones: and enter not into the field of the fatherless:
DBY Remove not the ancient landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
GNV Remooue not the ancient boundes, and enter not into the fieldes of the fatherlesse.
LSB Do not move the ancient boundary And do not come into the fields of the orphans,
Verse 11
KJV For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
ASV For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause against thee.
WEB for their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you.
YLT For their Redeemer <FI>is<Fi> strong, He doth plead their cause with thee.
DRB For their near kinsman is strong: and he will judge their cause against thee.
DBY for their redeemer is mighty; he will plead their cause against thee.
GNV For he that redeemeth them, is mightie: he will defend their cause against thee.
LSB For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their case against you.
Verse 12
KJV Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
ASV Apply thy heart unto instruction, And thine ears to the words of knowledge.
WEB Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.
YLT Bring in to instruction thy heart, And thine ear to sayings of knowledge.
DRB Let thy heart apply itself to instruction and thy ears to words of knowledge.
DBY Apply thy heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
GNV Apply thine heart to instruction, and thine eares to the wordes of knowledge.
LSB Bring your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge.
Verse 13
KJV Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
ASV Withhold not correction from the child; [For] if thou beat him with the rod, he will not die.
WEB Don’t withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
YLT Withhold not from a youth chastisement, When thou smitest him with a rod he dieth not.
DRB Withhold not correction from a child: for if thou strike him with the rod, he shall not die.
DBY Withhold not correction from the child; for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die:
GNV Withhold not correction from the childe: if thou smite him with the rodde, he shall not die.
LSB Do not withhold discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.
Verse 14
KJV Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
ASV Thou shalt beat him with the rod, And shalt deliver his soul from Sheol.
WEB Punish him with the rod, and save his soul from Sheol.
YLT Thou with a rod smitest him, And his soul from Sheol thou deliverest.
DRB Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and deliver his soul from hell.
DBY thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from Sheol.
GNV Thou shalt smite him with the rodde, and shalt deliuer his soule from hell.
LSB You shall strike him with the rod And deliver his soul from Sheol.
Verse 15
KJV My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
ASV My son, if thy heart be wise, My heart will be glad, even mine:
WEB My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine:
YLT My son, if thy heart hath been wise, My heart rejoiceth, even mine,
DRB My son, if thy mind be wise, my heart shall rejoice with thee:
DBY My son, if thy heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine;
GNV My sonne, if thine heart be wise, mine heart shall reioyce, and I also.
LSB My son, if your heart is wise, My own heart also will be glad;
Verse 16
KJV Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
ASV Yea, my heart will rejoice, When thy lips speak right things.
WEB yes, my heart will rejoice, when your lips speak what is right.
YLT And my reins exult when thy lips speak uprightly.
DRB And my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips shall speak what is right.
DBY and my reins shall exult, when thy lips speak right things.
GNV And my reynes shall reioyce, when thy lips speake righteous things.
LSB And my inmost being will exult When your lips speak upright things.
Verse 17
KJV Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
ASV Let not thy heart envy sinners; But [be thou] in the fear of Jehovah all the day long:
WEB Don’t let your heart envy sinners; but rather fear Yahweh all day long.
YLT Let not thy heart be envious at sinners, But--in the fear of Jehovah all the day.
DRB Let not thy heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long:
DBY Let not thy heart envy sinners, but [be thou] in the fear of Jehovah all the day;
GNV Let not thine heart bee enuious against sinners: but let it bee in the feare of the Lord continually.
LSB Do not let your heart be jealous of sinners, But be zealous in the fear of Yahweh always.
Verse 18
KJV For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
ASV For surely there is a reward; And thy hope shall not be cut off.
WEB Indeed surely there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off.
YLT For, is there a posterity? Then thy hope is not cut off.
DRB Because thou shalt have hope in the latter end, and thy expectation shall not be taken away.
DBY for surely there is a result, and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
GNV For surely there is an ende, and thy hope shall not be cut off.
LSB Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off.
Verse 19
KJV Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
ASV Hear thou, my son, and be wise, And guide thy heart in the way.
WEB Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path!
YLT Hear thou, my son, and be wise, And make happy in the way thy heart,
DRB Hear thou, my son, and be wise: and guide thy mind in the way.
DBY Thou, my son, hear and be wise, and direct thy heart in the way.
GNV O thou my sonne, heare, and bee wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
LSB You, my son, listen and be wise, And direct your heart in the way.
Verse 20
KJV Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
ASV Be not among winebibbers, Among gluttonous eaters of flesh:
WEB Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat:
YLT Be not thou among quaffers of wine, Among gluttonous ones of flesh,
DRB Be not in the feasts of great drinkers, nor in their revellings, who contribute flesh to eat:
DBY Be not among winebibbers, among riotous eaters of flesh.
GNV Keepe not company with drunkards, nor with gluttons.
LSB Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
Verse 21
KJV For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
ASV For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; And drowsiness will clothe [a man] with rags.
WEB for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
YLT For the quaffer and glutton become poor, And drowsiness clotheth with rags.
DRB Because they that give themselves to drinking, and that club together, shall be consumed: and drowsiness shall be clothed with rags.
DBY For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness clotheth with rags.
GNV For the drunkard and the glutton shall bee poore, and the sleeper shalbe clothed with ragges.
LSB For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe them with rags.
Verse 22
KJV Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
ASV Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she is old.
WEB Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.
YLT Hearken to thy father, who begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she hath become old.
DRB Hearken to thy father, that begot thee: and despise not thy mother when she is old.
DBY Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
GNV Obey thy father that hath begotten thee, and despise not thy mother when she is olde.
LSB Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.
Verse 23
KJV Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
ASV Buy the truth, and sell it not; [Yea], wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
WEB Buy the truth, and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
YLT Truth buy, and sell not, Wisdom, and instruction, and understanding,
DRB Buy truth, and do not sell wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
DBY Buy the truth, and sell it not; wisdom, and instruction, and intelligence.
GNV Bye the trueth, but sell it not: likewise wisdome, and instruction, and vnderstanding.
LSB Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and discipline and understanding.
Verse 24
KJV The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
ASV The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; And he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him.
WEB The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.
YLT The father of the righteous rejoiceth greatly, The begetter of the wise rejoiceth in him.
DRB The father of the just rejoiceth greatly: he that hath begotten a wise son, shall have joy in him.
DBY The father of a righteous [man] shall greatly rejoice, and he that begetteth a wise [son] shall have joy of him:
GNV The father of the righteous shall greatly reioyce, and hee that begetteth a wise childe, shall haue ioy of him.
LSB The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.
Verse 25
KJV Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
ASV Let thy father and thy mother be glad, And let her that bare thee rejoice.
WEB Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice!
YLT Rejoice doth thy father and thy mother, Yea, she that bare thee is joyful.
DRB Let thy father and thy mother be joyful, and let her rejoice that bore thee.
DBY let thy father and thy mother have joy, and let her that bore thee rejoice.
GNV Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall reioyce.
LSB Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her rejoice who gave birth to you.
Verse 26
KJV My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
ASV My son, give me thy heart; And let thine eyes delight in my ways.
WEB My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways.
YLT Give, my son, thy heart to me, And let thine eyes watch my ways.
DRB My son, give me thy heart: and let thy eyes keep my ways.
DBY My son, give me thy heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
GNV My sonne, giue mee thine heart, and let thine eyes delite in my wayes.
LSB Give your heart to me, my son, And let your eyes delight in my ways.
Verse 27
KJV For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
ASV For a harlot is a deep ditch; And a foreign woman is a narrow pit.
WEB For a prostitute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
YLT For a harlot <FI>is<Fi> a deep ditch, And a strange woman <FI>is<Fi> a strait pit.
DRB For a harlot is a deep ditch: and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
DBY For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
GNV For a whore is as a deepe ditche, and a strange woman is as a narrowe pitte.
LSB For a harlot is a deep pit And a foreign woman is a narrow well.
Verse 28
KJV She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.
ASV Yea, she lieth in wait as a robber, And increaseth the treacherous among men.
WEB Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men.
YLT She also, as catching prey, lieth in wait, And the treacherous among men she increaseth.
DRB She lieth in wait in the way as a robber, and him whom she shall see unwary, she will kill.
DBY She also lieth in wait as a robber, and increaseth the treacherous among men.
GNV Also she lyeth in wait as for a praye, and she increaseth the transgressers among men.
LSB Surely she lies in wait as a robber, And adds to the treacherous among men.
Verse 29
KJV Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
ASV Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? Who hath complaining? who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes?
WEB Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
YLT Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? who hath plaint? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes?
DRB Who hath woe? whose father hath woe? who hath contentions? who falls into pits? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
DBY Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who contentions? Who complaining? Who wounds without cause? Who redness of eyes?
GNV To whome is woe? to whome is sorowe? to whom is strife? to whom is murmuring? to whom are woundes without cause? and to whome is the rednesse of the eyes?
LSB Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
Verse 30
KJV They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
ASV They that tarry long at the wine; They that go to seek out mixed wine.
WEB Those who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine.
YLT Those tarrying by the wine, Those going in to search out mixed wine.
DRB Surely they that pass their time in wine, and study to drink off their cups.
DBY They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to try mixed wine.
GNV Euen to them that tarie long at the wine, to them that goe, and seeke mixt wine.
LSB Those who linger long over wine, Those who go to search out mixed wine.
Verse 31
KJV Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
ASV Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, When it sparkleth in the cup, When it goeth down smoothly:
WEB Don’t look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.
YLT See not wine when it showeth itself red, When it giveth in the cup its colour, It goeth up and down through the upright.
DRB Look not upon the wine when it is yellow, when the colour thereof shineth in the glass: it goeth in pleasantly,
DBY Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it sparkleth in the cup, and goeth down smoothly:
GNV Looke not thou vpon the wine, when it is red, and when it sheweth his colour in the cup, or goeth downe pleasantly.
LSB Do not look on the wine when it glistens red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly;
Verse 32
KJV At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
ASV At the last it biteth like a serpent, And stingeth like an adder.
WEB In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper.
YLT Its latter end--as a serpent it biteth, And as a basilisk it stingeth.
DRB But in the end, it will bite like a snake, and will spread abroad poison like a basilisk.
DBY at the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
GNV In the ende thereof it will bite like a serpent, and hurt like a cockatrise.
LSB At the end—like a serpent it bites, And like a viper it stings.
Verse 33
KJV Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
ASV Thine eyes shall behold strange things, And thy heart shall utter perverse things.
WEB Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confusing things.
YLT Thine eyes see strange women, And thy heart speaketh perverse things.
DRB Thy eyes shall behold strange women, and thy heart shall utter perverse things.
DBY Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thy heart shall speak froward things;
GNV Thine eyes shall looke vpon strange women, and thine heart shall speake lewde things.
LSB Your eyes will see strange things And your heart will speak perverse things.
Verse 34
KJV Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
ASV Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, Or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
WEB Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the middle of the sea, or as he who lies on top of the rigging:
YLT And thou hast been as one lying down in the heart of the sea, And as one lying down on the top of a mast.
DRB And thou shalt be as one sleeping in the midst of the sea, and as a pilot fast asleep when the stern is lost.
DBY and thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, and as he that lieth down upon the top of a mast:
GNV And thou shalt bee as one that sleepeth in the middes of the sea, and as hee that sleepeth in the toppe of the maste.
LSB And you will be like one who lies down in the heart of the sea, Or like one who lies down on the top of a mast.
Verse 35
KJV They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
ASV They have stricken me, [shalt thou say], and I was not hurt; They have beaten me, and I felt it not: When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
WEB “They hit me, and I was not hurt! They beat me, and I don’t feel it! When will I wake up? I can do it again. I can find another.”
YLT `They smote me, I have not been sick, They beat me, I have not known. When I awake--I seek it yet again!'
DRB And thou shalt say: They have beaten me, but I was not sensible of pain: they drew me, and I felt not: when shall I awake and find wine again?
DBY ''They have smitten me, [and] I am not sore; they have beaten me, [and] I knew it not. When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.''
GNV They haue stricken mee, shalt thou say, but I was not sicke: they haue beaten mee, but I knew not, when I awoke: therefore will I seeke it yet still.
LSB “They struck me, but I did not become ill; They beat me, but I did not know it. When shall I awake? I will seek yet another.”