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