GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New International Version NIV
1 A loner is out to get what he wants for himself. He opposes all sound reasoning.
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An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 A fool does not find joy in understanding but only in expressing his own opinion.
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Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and insult comes along with disgrace.
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When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
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The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5 It is not good to be partial toward a wicked person, thereby depriving an innocent person of justice.
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It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6 By talking, a fool gets into an argument, and his mouth invites a beating.
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The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin. His lips are a trap to his soul.
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The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8 The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person's innermost being.
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The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9 Whoever is lazy in his work is related to a vandal.
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One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower. A righteous person runs to it and is safe.
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The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 A rich person's wealth is his strong city and is like a high wall in his imagination.
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The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before destruction a person's heart is arrogant, but humility comes before honor.
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Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13 Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful.
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To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
14 A person's spirit can endure sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?
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The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge. The ears of wise people seek knowledge.
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The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A gift opens doors for the one who gives it and brings him into the presence of great people.
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A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17 The first to state his case seems right [until] his neighbor comes to cross-examine him.
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In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18 Flipping a coin ends quarrels and settles [issues] between powerful people.
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Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 An offended brother is more [resistant] than a strong city, and disputes are like the locked gate of a castle tower.
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A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20 A person's speaking ability provides for his stomach. His talking provides him a living.
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From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.
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The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds something good and has obtained favor from the LORD.
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He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
23 A poor person is timid when begging, but a rich person is blunt when replying.
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The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 Friends can destroy one another, but a loving friend can stick closer than family.
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One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.