| Young's Literal Translation (YLT) |
New International Version (NIV) |
|
1 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
|
1 An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.
|
|
2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart.
|
2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.
|
|
3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame -- reproach.
|
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace.
|
|
4 Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
|
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
|
|
5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
|
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice.
|
|
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
|
6 A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
|
|
7 The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
|
7 A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
|
|
8 The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
|
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.
|
|
9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
|
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
|
|
10 A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
|
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
|
|
11 The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
|
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.
|
|
12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
|
12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
|
|
13 Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
|
13 He who answers before listening-- that is his folly and his shame.
|
|
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
|
14 A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
|
|
15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
|
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.
|
|
16 The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
|
16 A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.
|
|
17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
|
17 The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.
|
|
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
|
18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
|
|
19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
|
19 An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
|
|
20 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied.
|
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
|
|
21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.
|
21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
|
|
22 [Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
|
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
|
|
23 [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
|
23 A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly.
|
|
24 A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
|
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
|
| Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain. (Young's Literal Translation - The 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) |
