Holman Christian Standard Bible CSB
New International Version NIV
1 One who isolates himself pursues [selfish] desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
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An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions.
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Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
3 When a wicked man comes, shame does also, and along with dishonor, disgrace.
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When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.
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The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the guilty by perverting the justice due the innocent.
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It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6 A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.
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The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life.
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The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8 A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being.
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The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9 The one who is truly lazy in his work is brother to a vandal.
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One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.
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The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 A rich man's wealth is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall.
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The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but before honor comes humility.
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Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13 The one who gives an answer before he listens- this is foolishness and disgrace for him.
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To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
14 A man's spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
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The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it.
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The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A gift opens doors for a man and brings him before the great.
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A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18 [Casting] the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents.
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Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 An offended brother is [harder to reach] than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
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A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips.
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From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
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The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
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He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
23 The poor man pleads, but the rich one answers roughly.
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The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 A man with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
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One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.