New Living Translation NLT
Hebrew Names Version HNV
1 Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.
1
An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, And defies all sound judgment.
2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
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A fool has no delight in understanding, But only in broadcasting his own opinion.
3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
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When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, And with shame comes disgrace.
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 like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
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To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, Nor to 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 lips come into strife, And his mouth invites beatings.
7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.
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A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
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The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: They go down into a person's innermost parts.
9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
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One who is slack in his work Is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
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 the LORD is a strong tower: The righteous run to him, and are safe.
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 rich man's wealth is his strong city, Like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
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Before destruction the heart of man is proud, But before honor is humility.
13 Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.
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He who gives answer before he hears, That is folly and shame to him.
14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
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A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, But a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.
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The heart of the discerning gets 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 man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
17 The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.
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He who pleads his cause first seems right; Until another comes and questions him.
18 Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
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The lot settles disputes, And keeps strong ones 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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A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; And disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
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A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
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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Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor of the LORD.
23 The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.
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The poor pleads for mercy, But the rich answers harshly.
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
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A man of many companions may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.