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New International Version (NIV) |
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1 Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off an evil odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
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1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
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2 A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left.
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2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
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3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to every one that he is a fool.
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3 Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.
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4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for deference will make amends for great offenses.
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4 If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.
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5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:
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5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
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6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.
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6 Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.
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7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on foot like slaves.
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7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
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8 He who digs a pit will fall into it; and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
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8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
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9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them; and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
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9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
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10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps one to succeed.
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10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.
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11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer.
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11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
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12 The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
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12 Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
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13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is wicked madness.
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13 At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness--
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14 A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?
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14 and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming-- who can tell him what will happen after him?
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15 The toil of a fool wearies him, so that he does not know the way to the city.
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15 A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.
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16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!
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16 Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning.
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17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of free men, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
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17 Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time-- for strength and not for drunkenness.
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18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.
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18 If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.
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19 Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.
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19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
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20 Even in your thought, do not curse the king, nor in your bedchamber curse the rich; for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.
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20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
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| Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Revised Standard Version - Holy Bible) |
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) |
