Revised Standard Version RSV
Good News Translation GNT
1 He who is estranged seeks pretexts to break out against all sound judgment.
1
People who do not get along with others are interested only in themselves; they will disagree with what everyone else knows is right.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
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A fool does not care whether he understands a thing or not; all he wants to do is show how smart he is.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonor comes disgrace.
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Sin and shame go together. Lose your honor, and you will get scorn in its place.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.
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A person's words can be a source of wisdom, deep as the ocean, fresh as a flowing stream.
5 It is not good to be partial to a wicked man, or to deprive a righteous man of justice.
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It is not right to favor the guilty and keep the innocent from receiving justice.
6 A fool's lips bring strife, and his mouth invites a flogging.
6
When some fool starts an argument, he is asking for a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to himself.
7
When a fool speaks, he is ruining himself; he gets caught in the trap of his own words.
8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
8
Gossip is so tasty - how we love to swallow it!
9 He who is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
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A lazy person is as bad as someone who is destructive.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
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The Lord is like a strong tower, where the righteous can go and be safe.
11 A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall protecting him.
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Rich people, however, imagine that their wealth protects them like high, strong walls around a city.
12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor.
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No one is respected unless he is humble; arrogant people are on the way to ruin.
13 If one gives answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
13
Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting.
14 A man's spirit will endure sickness; but a broken spirit who can bear?
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Your will to live can sustain you when you are sick, but if you lose it, your last hope is gone.
15 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
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Intelligent people are always eager and ready to learn.
16 A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.
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Do you want to meet an important person? Take a gift and it will be easy.
17 He who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
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The first person to speak in court always seems right until his opponent begins to question him.
18 The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.
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If two powerful people are opposing each other in court, casting lots can settle the issue.
19 A brother helped is like a strong city, but quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
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Help your relatives and they will protect you like a strong city wall, but if you quarrel with them, they will close their doors to you.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
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You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
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What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.
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Find a wife and you find a good thing; it shows that the Lord is good to you.
23 The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
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When the poor speak, they have to be polite, but when the rich answer, they are rude.
24 There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.