| The Webster Bible (WBT) |
New International Version (NIV) |
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1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
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1 An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.
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2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may reveal itself.
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2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.
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3 When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
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3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace.
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4 The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the well-spring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.
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4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
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5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
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5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice.
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6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
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6 A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
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7 A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
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7 A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
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8 The words of a tale-bearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
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8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.
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9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
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9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
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10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
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10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
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11 The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.
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11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.
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12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor [is] humility.
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12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
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13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame to him.
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13 He who answers before listening-- that is his folly and his shame.
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14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
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14 A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
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15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
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15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.
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16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
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16 A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.
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17 [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.
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17 The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.
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18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
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18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
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19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.
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19 An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
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20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
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20 From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
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21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit of it.
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21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
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22 [Whoever] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favor from the LORD.
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22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
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23 The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
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23 A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly.
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24 A man [that hath] friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
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24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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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) |
