English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
7
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.
8
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
9
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.
10
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 in his imagination.
11
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 comes before honor.
12
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
13
To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
14 A man's spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
14
The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
15
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 the great.
16
A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
17
In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
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.