The Darby Translation DBY
New International Version NIV
1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
1
An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
2
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
3
When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.
4
The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.
5
It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
6
The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
7
The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8 The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
8
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9 He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
9
One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
10
The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
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The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.
12
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
13
To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
14
The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
15
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
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A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17 He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
17
In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
18
Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 A brother offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.
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A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20 A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.
20
From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
21
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.
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He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
23 He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
23
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
24
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.
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.