The Bible in Basic English BBE
New International Version NIV
13 If anyone gives back evil for good, evil will never go away from his house.
13
Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.
14 The start of fighting is like the letting out of water: so give up before it comes to blows.
14
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
15 He who gives a decision for the evil-doer and he who gives a decision against the upright, are equally disgusting to the Lord.
15
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the LORD detests them both.
16 How will money in the hand of the foolish get him wisdom, seeing that he has no sense?
16
Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?
17 A friend is loving at all times, and becomes a brother in times of trouble.
17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
18 A man without sense gives his hand in an agreement, and makes himself responsible before his neighbour.
18
One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.
19 The lover of fighting is a lover of sin: he who makes high his doorway is looking for destruction.
19
Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 Nothing good comes to him whose heart is fixed on evil purposes: and he who has an evil tongue will come to trouble.
20
One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
21 He who has an unwise son gets sorrow for himself, and the father of a foolish son has no joy.
21
To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.
22 A glad heart makes a healthy body, but a crushed spirit makes the bones dry.
22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A sinner takes an offering out of his robe, to get a decision for himself in a cause.
23
The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.
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.