The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 He who separates himself indulges his desires and shows contempt for sound advice of any kind.
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He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in trying to understand; he only wants to express his own opinion.
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A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt comes too, and with disdain, provocation.
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When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep water, a gushing torrent, a fountain of wisdom.
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The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 It is not good to be partial to the guilty and thus deprive the innocent of justice.
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To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
6 A fool's words get him into fights; yes, his mouth calls out for a beating.
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A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin; his words are a trap for him.
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The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
8 A slanderer's words are tasty morsels; they slide right down into the belly.
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The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
9 Whoever is lazy in doing his work is brother to the destroyer.
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He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
10 The name of ADONAI is a strong tower; a righteous person runs to it and is raised high [above danger].
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The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city, like a high wall, in his own imagination.
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The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
12 Before being ruined, a person's heart is proud; before being honored, a person must be humble.
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Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
13 To answer someone before hearing him out is both stupid and embarrassing.
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To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
14 A person's spirit can sustain him when ill, but a crushed spirit - who can bear it?
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The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
15 The mind of a person with discernment gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
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The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
16 A person's gift clears his way and gives him access to the great.
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A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
17 The first to state his case seems right, till the other one comes and cross-examines.
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The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
18 Casting lots puts an end to strife and separates powerful disputants.
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The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
19 It is harder to win an offended brother than a strong city; their fights are like the bars of a fortress.
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A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
20 A person's belly will be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with what his lips produce he will be filled.
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With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
21 The tongue has power over life and death; those who indulge it must eat its fruit.
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Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
22 He who finds a wife finds a great good; he has won the favor of ADONAI.
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Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
23 The poor man speaks beseechingly, the rich man's answer is blunt.
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The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
24 Some "friends" pretend to be friends, but a true friend sticks closer than a brother.
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There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.