New International Version NIV
Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
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He that hath a mind to depart from a friend, seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
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A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
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The wicked man, when he is come into the depths of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
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Words from the mouth of a man are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
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 decline from the truth of judgment.
6 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
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The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
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The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin 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 the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
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He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
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 just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
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The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
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Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
13 To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
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He that answereth before he heareth, sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
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The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
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A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
16 A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
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A man’s gift enlargeth his way, and maketh him room before princes.
17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
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The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
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The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even 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 that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.
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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Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.
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: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
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He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
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The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak 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 amiable in society, shall be more friendly 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 Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.