New American Standard Bible NAS
New International Version NIV
1 He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.
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An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.
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Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn.
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When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
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The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5 To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.
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It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6 A fool's lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows.
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The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of 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 a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
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The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9 He also who is slack in his work Is brother to him who destroys.
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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 righteous runs into it and is safe.
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The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 A rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.
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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 haughty, But humility goes before honor.
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Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13 He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.
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To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?
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The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks 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 gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.
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A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17 The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.
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In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18 The cast lot puts an end to strife And decides between the mighty ones.
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Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.
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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 satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.
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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 who love it will eat its fruit.
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The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from 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 utters supplications, But the rich man answers roughly.
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The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer 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.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California. 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.