The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
King James Version KJV
1 He who separates himself indulges his desires and shows contempt for sound advice of any kind.
1
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in trying to understand; he only wants to express his own opinion.
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A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt comes too, and with disdain, provocation.
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When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
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 as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the guilty and thus deprive the innocent of justice.
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It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool's words get him into fights; yes, his mouth calls out for a beating.
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A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin; his words are a trap for him.
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A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 A slanderer's words are tasty morsels; they slide right down into the belly.
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The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Whoever is lazy in doing his work is brother to the destroyer.
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He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
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 righteous runneth into it, and 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 rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
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 haughty, and before honour is humility.
13 To answer someone before hearing him out is both stupid and embarrassing.
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He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
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 sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
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 prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A person's gift clears his way and gives him access to the great.
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A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 The first to state his case seems right, till the other one comes and cross-examines.
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He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 Casting lots puts an end to strife and separates powerful disputants.
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The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
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 offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
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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A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
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 they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 He who finds a wife finds a great good; he has won the favor of ADONAI.
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Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 The poor man speaks beseechingly, the rich man's answer is blunt.
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The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Some "friends" pretend to be friends, but a true friend sticks closer than a brother.
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A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer 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 King James Version is in the public domain.