Common English Bible CEB
English Standard Version ESV
1 Unfriendly people look out for themselves; they bicker with sensible people.
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Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing their opinion.
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A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
3 When the wicked arrive, so does contempt; with shame comes insult.
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When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of a person's mouth are deep waters, a bubbling stream, a fountain of wisdom.
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The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 Favoring the wicked isn't good; it denies justice to the righteous.
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It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
6 The lips of fools make accusations; their mouths elicit beatings.
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A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 The mouth of fools is their ruin; their lips are a trap for their lives.
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A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of gossips are like choice snacks; they go down to the inmost parts.
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The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 Those who are lazy in their work are brothers to thugs.
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Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
10 The LORD's name is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and find refuge.
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The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
11 The riches of the wealthy are a strong city and like a high wall in their imagination.
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A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Pride comes before a disaster, but humility comes before respect.
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Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13 Those who answer before they listen are foolish and disgraceful.
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If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
14 The human spirit sustains a sick person, but who can bear a broken spirit?
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A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 An understanding mind gains knowledge; the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
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An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A gift opens the way for access to important people.
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A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.
17 The first person to testify seems innocent, until the other comes and cross-examines him.
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The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
18 The dice settle conflicts and keep strong opponents apart.
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The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders.
19 An offended ally is more formidable than a city; such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
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A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 The stomach is satisfied by the fruit of the mouth; one's lips can earn a satisfying income.
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From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
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Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good, gaining favor from the LORD.
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He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
23 The poor plead for help, but the wealthy answer harshly.
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The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
24 There are persons for companionship, but then there are friends who are more loyal than family.
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A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.