Third Millennium Bible TMB
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, unless his heart may discover 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 wellspring 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 blows.
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 talebearer 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 that is slothful in his work is a 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 stronghold, 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 a 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 unto 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 first states his own cause seemeth just, but then his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.
17
In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18 Casting lots causeth contentions to cease, and parteth the strife of the mighty.
18
Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 An offended brother is harder to be won back than a stronghold city, and his 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 harvest 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 thereof.
21
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Whosoever findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth the favor of 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.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.
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.