Good News Translation GNT
World English Bible WEB
1 People who do not get along with others are interested only in themselves; they will disagree with what everyone else knows is right.
1
An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, And defies all sound judgment.
2 A fool does not care whether he understands a thing or not; all he wants to do is show how smart he is.
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A fool has no delight in understanding, But only in broadcasting his own opinion.
3 Sin and shame go together. Lose your honor, and you will get scorn in its place.
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When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, And with shame comes disgrace.
4 A person's words can be a source of wisdom, deep as the ocean, fresh as a flowing stream.
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The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 It is not right to favor the guilty and keep the innocent from receiving justice.
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To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, Nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 When some fool starts an argument, he is asking for a beating.
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A fool's lips come into strife, And his mouth invites beatings.
7 When a fool speaks, he is ruining himself; he gets caught in the trap of his own words.
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A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Gossip is so tasty - how we love to swallow it!
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The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: They go down into a person's innermost parts.
9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who is destructive.
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One who is slack in his work Is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 The Lord is like a strong tower, where the righteous can go and be safe.
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The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: The righteous run to him, and are safe.
11 Rich people, however, imagine that their wealth protects them like high, strong walls around a city.
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The rich man's wealth is his strong city, Like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 No one is respected unless he is humble; arrogant people are on the way to ruin.
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Before destruction the heart of man is proud, But before honor is humility.
13 Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting.
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He who gives answer before he hears, That is folly and shame to him.
14 Your will to live can sustain you when you are sick, but if you lose it, your last hope is gone.
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A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, But a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 Intelligent people are always eager and ready to learn.
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The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Do you want to meet an important person? Take a gift and it will be easy.
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A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
17 The first person to speak in court always seems right until his opponent begins to question him.
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He who pleads his cause first seems right; Until another comes and questions him.
18 If two powerful people are opposing each other in court, casting lots can settle the issue.
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The lot settles disputes, And keeps strong ones apart.
19 Help your relatives and they will protect you like a strong city wall, but if you quarrel with them, they will close their doors to you.
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A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; And disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say.
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A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.
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Death and life are in the power of the tongue; Those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Find a wife and you find a good thing; it shows that the Lord is good to you.
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Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor of Yahweh.
23 When the poor speak, they have to be polite, but when the rich answer, they are rude.
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The poor pleads for mercy, But the rich answers harshly.
24 Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.
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A man of many companions may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.