Common English Bible CEB
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Unfriendly people look out for themselves; they bicker with sensible people.
1
The one who lives alone is self-indulgent, showing contempt for all who have sound judgment.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing their opinion.
2
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion.
3 When the wicked arrive, so does contempt; with shame comes insult.
3
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.
4
The words of the mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.
5 Favoring the wicked isn't good; it denies justice to the righteous.
5
It is not right to be partial to the guilty, or to subvert the innocent in judgment.
6 The lips of fools make accusations; their mouths elicit beatings.
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A fool's lips bring strife, and a fool's mouth invites a flogging.
7 The mouth of fools is their ruin; their lips are a trap for their lives.
7
The mouths of fools are their ruin, and their lips a snare to themselves.
8 The words of gossips are like choice snacks; they go down to the inmost parts.
8
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.
9
One who is slack in work is close kin to a vandal.
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 run into it and are safe.
11 The riches of the wealthy are a strong city and like a high wall in their imagination.
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The wealth of the rich is their strong city; in their imagination it is like a high wall.
12 Pride comes before a disaster, but humility comes before respect.
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Before destruction one's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor.
13 Those who answer before they listen are foolish and disgraceful.
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If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame.
14 The human spirit sustains a sick person, but who can bear a broken spirit?
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The human spirit will endure sickness; but a broken spirit—who can bear?
15 An understanding mind gains knowledge; the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
15
An intelligent mind 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 gift opens doors; it gives access to 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 first states a case seems right, until the other comes and cross-examines.
18 The dice settle conflicts and keep strong opponents apart.
18
Casting the lot puts an end to disputes 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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An ally offended is stronger than a city; such 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.
20
From the fruit of the mouth one's stomach is satisfied; the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
21
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.
22
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.
23
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.
24
Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.