Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
1 He who is estranged seeks pretexts to break out against all sound judgment.
1
An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
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Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonor comes disgrace.
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When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.
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The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing 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 good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6 A fool's lips bring strife, and his mouth invites a flogging.
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The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to himself.
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The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
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The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9 He who is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
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One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
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The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall protecting him.
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The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor.
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Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13 If one gives answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
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To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
14 A man's spirit will endure sickness; but a broken spirit who can bear?
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The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
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The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.
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A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17 He who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
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In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18 The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.
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Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 A brother helped is like a strong city, but quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
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A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
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From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
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The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.
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He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
23 The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
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The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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 quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.