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New International Version (NIV) |
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1 Loners who care only for themselves spit on the common good.
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1 An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.
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2 Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth.
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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 wickedness arrives, shame's not far behind; contempt for life is contemptible.
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3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace.
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4 Many words rush along like rivers in flood, but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs.
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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's not right to go easy on the guilty, or come down hard on the innocent.
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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 The words of a fool start fights; do him a favor and gag him.
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6 A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
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7 Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words.
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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 Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your 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 Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.
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9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
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10 God's name is a place of protection - good people can run there and be 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 think their wealth protects them; they imagine themselves safe behind it.
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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 Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor.
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12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
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13 Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.
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13 He who answers before listening-- that is his folly and his shame.
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14 A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?
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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 Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.
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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 gift gets attention; it buys the attention of eminent people.
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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 The first speech in a court case is always convincing - until the cross-examination starts!
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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 You may have to draw straws when faced with a tough decision.
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18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
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19 Do a favor and win a friend forever; nothing can untie that bond.
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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 Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.
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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 Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - you choose.
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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 Find a good spouse, you find a good life - and even more: the favor of God!
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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 speak in soft supplications; the rich bark out answers.
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23 A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly.
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24 Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.
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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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| Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved. (The Message 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) |
