New International Version NIV
New International Reader's Version NIRV
1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
1
A person who isn't friendly looks out only for himself. He opposes all good sense.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
2
A foolish person doesn't want to understand. He takes delight in saying only what he thinks.
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
3
People hate it when evil comes. And they refuse to honor those who bring shame.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
4
The words of a person's mouth are like deep water. But the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
5
It isn't good to favor those who do wrong. And it isn't good to hold back what is fair from those who aren't guilty.
6 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
6
What a foolish person says leads to arguing. He is just asking for a beating.
7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
7
The words of a foolish person drag him down. He is trapped by what he says.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
8
The words of anyone who talks about others are like tasty bites of food. They go deep down inside you.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
9
Anyone who doesn't want to work is like someone who destroys.
10 The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
10
The name of the LORD is like a strong tower. Godly people run to it and are safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
11
The wealth of rich people is like a city that makes them feel safe. They think of it as a city with walls that can't be climbed.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
12
If a man's heart is proud, he will be destroyed. So don't be proud if you want to be honored.
13 To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
13
To answer before listening is foolish and shameful.
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
14
A man's cheerful heart gives him strength when he is sick. You can't keep going if you have a broken spirit.
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
15
Those whose hearts understand what is right get knowledge. The ears of those who are wise listen for it.
16 A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
16
A gift opens the way for the one who gives it. It helps him meet important people.
17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
17
The first one to tell his case seems right. Then someone else comes forward and questions him.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
18
Casting lots will put a stop to arguing. It will keep the strongest enemies apart.
19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
19
A broken friendship is harder to deal with than a city that has high walls around it. And arguing is like the locked gates of a mighty city.
20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
20
A man can fill his stomach with what he says. The words from his lips can satisfy him.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
21
Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words.
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
22
The one who finds a wife finds what is good. He receives favor from the Lord.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
23
Poor people beg for mercy. But rich people answer in a mean way.
24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
24
Even a man who has many companions can be destroyed. But there is a friend who sticks 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.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.