New Living Translation NLT
Young's Literal Translation YLT
1 Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.
1
For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
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A fool delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart.
3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
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With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame -- reproach.
4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
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Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
5 It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
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Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
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The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.
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The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
8 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
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The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
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He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
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A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
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] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
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Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
13 Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.
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Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
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The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.
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The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!
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The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
17 The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.
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Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
18 Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
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The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
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 transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
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From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase 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, And those loving it eat its fruit.
22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD .
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[Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
23 The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.
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[With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
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A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!