| The Webster Bible (WBT) |
New International Version (NIV) |
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1 Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of sacrifices [with] strife.
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1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
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2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
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2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
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3 The fining-pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
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3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.
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4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips: [and] a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
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4 A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.
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5 He that mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
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5 He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
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6 Children's children [are] the crown of old men; and the glory of children [is] their fathers.
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6 Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
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7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
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7 Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool-- how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
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8 A gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
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8 A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
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9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth [very] friends.
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9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
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10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than a hundred stripes into a fool.
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10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.
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11 An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
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11 An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him.
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12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
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12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.
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13 Whoever rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
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13 If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
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14 The beginning of strife [is as] when one letteth out water: therefore withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.
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14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
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15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.
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15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent-- the LORD detests them both.
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16 Why [is there] a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?
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16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?
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17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
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17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
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18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
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18 A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.
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19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
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19 He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction.
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20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
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20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
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21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
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21 To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool.
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22 A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
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22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
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23 A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
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23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.
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24 Wisdom [is] before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool [are] in the ends of the earth.
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24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
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25 A foolish son [is] a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
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25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.
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26 Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike princes for equity.
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26 It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity.
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27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
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27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
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28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
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28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
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| The Webster Bible is in the public domain. (The Webster Bible Online) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
