Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
New Living Translation NLT
1 Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith, shall not be wise.
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Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.
2 As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.
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The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life.
3 It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.
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Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.
4 Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.
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Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.
5 Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.
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Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.
6 Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?
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Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?
7 The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.
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The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
8 The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.
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When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.
9 Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?
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Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?
10 Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.
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False weights and unequal measures — the LORD detests double standards of every kind.
11 By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.
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Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.
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Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the LORD .
13 Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.
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If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!
14 It is naught, it is naught, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.
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The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain!
15 There is gold and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
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Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.
16 Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.
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Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.
17 The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
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Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.
18 Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.
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Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.
19 Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.
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A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.
20 He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
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If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.
21 The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.
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An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end.
22 Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord, and he will deliver thee.
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Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.
23 Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.
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The LORD detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales.
24 The steps of men are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?
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The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
25 It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.
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Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost.
26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
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A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat, then runs his threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.
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The LORD ’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
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Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.
29 The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.
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The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.
30 The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.
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Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.
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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.