American Standard Version ASV
New International Version NIV
1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.
1
An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only 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, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy [cometh] 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; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook.
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The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good, [Nor] to turn 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 enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
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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.
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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 as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
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The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9 He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
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One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth 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 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as 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; And before honor [goeth] humility.
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Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.
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To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken 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.
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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 maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.
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A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17 He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
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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.
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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 [such] contentions are like the bars of a castle.
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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 filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
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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 they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
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The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.
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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.
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The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh 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.
The American Standard Version 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.