New International Version NIV
King James Version KJV
1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
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Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
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A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
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When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
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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 wicked and so 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 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
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A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
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A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
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The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
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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 the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
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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 their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
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The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
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Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13 To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
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He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
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The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
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The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
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A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward 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 the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
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The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
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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 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
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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 the power of life and death, and those who love it will 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 what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
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Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
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The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who 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.
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.
The King James Version is in the public domain.