New Living Translation NLT
Common English Bible CEB
1 Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.
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Unfriendly people look out for themselves; they bicker with sensible people.
2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
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Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing their opinion.
3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
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When the wicked arrive, so does contempt; with shame comes insult.
4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
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The words of a person's mouth are deep waters, a bubbling stream, a fountain of wisdom.
5 It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
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Favoring the wicked isn't good; it denies justice to the righteous.
6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
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The lips of fools make accusations; their mouths elicit beatings.
7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.
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The mouth of fools is their ruin; their lips are a trap for their lives.
8 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
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The words of gossips are like choice snacks; they go down to the inmost parts.
9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
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Those who are lazy in their work are brothers to thugs.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
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The LORD's name is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and find refuge.
11 The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.
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The riches of the wealthy are a strong city and like a high wall in their imagination.
12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
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Pride comes before a disaster, but humility comes before respect.
13 Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.
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Those who answer before they listen are foolish and disgraceful.
14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
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The human spirit sustains a sick person, but who can bear a broken spirit?
15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.
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An understanding mind gains knowledge; the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!
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A gift opens the way for access to important people.
17 The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.
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The first person to testify seems innocent, until the other comes and cross-examines him.
18 Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
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The dice settle conflicts and keep strong opponents apart.
19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.
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An offended ally is more formidable than a city; such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
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The stomach is satisfied by the fruit of the mouth; one's lips can earn a satisfying income.
21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
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Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD .
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He who finds a wife finds what is good, gaining favor from the LORD.
23 The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.
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The poor plead for help, but the wealthy answer harshly.
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
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There are persons for companionship, but then there are friends who are more loyal than family.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible