Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
New Living Translation NLT
1 He that hath a mind to depart from a friend, seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
1
Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.
2 A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
2
Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
3 The wicked man, when he is come into the depths of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
3
Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
4 Words from the mouth of a man are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
4
Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.
5
It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
6 The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
6
Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
7 The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.
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The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.
8 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.
8
Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
9 He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
9
A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.
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The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
11 The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
11
The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.
12 Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
12
Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
13 He that answereth before he heareth, sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
13
Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.
14 The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?
14
The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15 A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
15
Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.
16 A man’s gift enlargeth his way, and maketh him room before princes.
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Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!
17 The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
17
The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.
18 The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.
18
Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
19 A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.
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An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.
20 Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.
20
Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
21
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
22 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.
22
The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD .
23 The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.
23
The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.
24 A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
24
There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.
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.