The Bible in Basic English BBE
New International Version NIV
1 He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
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An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
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Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
3 When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
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When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
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The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5 To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
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It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6 A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
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The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
7 The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
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The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8 The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
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The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9 He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
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One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
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The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
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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 full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
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Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13 To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
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To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
14 The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
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The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
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The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
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A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17 The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
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In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18 The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
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Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
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A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20 With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
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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 those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
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The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
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He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
23 The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
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The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
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One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
The Bible in Basic English 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.