Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
New Revised Standard NRS
1 He that hath a mind to depart from a friend, seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
1
The one who lives alone is self-indulgent, showing contempt for all who have sound judgment.
2 A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
2
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion.
3 The wicked man, when he is come into the depths of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
3
When wickedness comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 Words from the mouth of a man are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
4
The words of the mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.
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 be partial to the guilty, or to subvert the innocent in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
6
A fool's lips bring strife, and a fool's mouth invites a flogging.
7 The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.
7
The mouths of fools are their ruin, and their lips a snare to themselves.
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
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
9
One who is slack in work is close kin to a vandal.
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 tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.
11 The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
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The wealth of the rich is their strong city; in their imagination it is like a high wall.
12 Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
12
Before destruction one's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor.
13 He that answereth before he heareth, sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
13
If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame.
14 The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?
14
The human spirit will endure sickness; but a broken spirit—who can bear?
15 A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
15
An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift enlargeth his way, and maketh him room before princes.
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A gift opens doors; it gives access to the great.
17 The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
17
The one who first states a case seems right, until the other comes and cross-examines.
18 The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.
18
Casting the lot puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.
19 A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.
19
An ally offended is stronger than a city; such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.
20
From the fruit of the mouth one's stomach is satisfied; the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
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
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.
23 The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.
23
The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
24 A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
24
Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.