New Living Translation NLT
The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
1 Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.
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He who separates himself indulges his desires and shows contempt for sound advice of any kind.
2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
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A fool takes no pleasure in trying to understand; he only wants to express his own opinion.
3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
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When a wicked person comes, contempt comes too, and with disdain, provocation.
4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
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The words of a man's mouth are deep water, a gushing torrent, a fountain of wisdom.
5 It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
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It is not good to be partial to the guilty and thus deprive the innocent of justice.
6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
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A fool's words get him into fights; yes, his mouth calls out for a beating.
7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.
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A fool's mouth is his ruin; his words are a trap for him.
8 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
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A slanderer's words are tasty morsels; they slide right down into the belly.
9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
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Whoever is lazy in doing his work is brother to the destroyer.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
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The name of ADONAI is a strong tower; a righteous person runs to it and is raised high [above danger].
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 wealth of the rich is his fortified city, like a high wall, in his own imagination.
12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
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Before being ruined, a person's heart is proud; before being honored, a person must be humble.
13 Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.
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To answer someone before hearing him out is both stupid and embarrassing.
14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
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A person's spirit can sustain him when ill, but a crushed spirit - who can bear it?
15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.
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The mind of a person with discernment gets knowledge, and 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 person's gift clears his way and gives him access to the great.
17 The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.
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The first to state his case seems right, till the other one comes and cross-examines.
18 Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
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Casting lots puts an end to strife and separates powerful disputants.
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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It is harder to win an offended brother than a strong city; their fights are like the bars of a fortress.
20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
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A person's belly will be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with what his lips produce he will be filled.
21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
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The tongue has power over life and death; those who indulge it must 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 a great good; he has won the favor of ADONAI.
23 The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.
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The poor man speaks beseechingly, the rich man's answer is blunt.
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
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Some "friends" pretend to be friends, but a true friend sticks closer than a brother.
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.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.