The Bible in Basic English BBE
New International Version NIV
10 Like an archer wounding all who go by, is a foolish man overcome by drink.
10
Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 Like a dog going back to the food which he has not been able to keep down, is the foolish man doing his foolish acts over again.
11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
12 Have you seen a man who seems to himself to be wise? There is more hope for the foolish than for him.
12
Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
13 The hater of work says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
13
A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
14 A door is turned on its pillar, and the hater of work on his bed.
14
As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15 The hater of work puts his hand deep into the basin: lifting it again to his mouth is a weariness to him.
15
A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The hater of work seems to himself wiser than seven men who are able to give an answer with good sense.
16
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 He who gets mixed up in a fight which is not his business, is like one who takes a dog by the ears while it is going by.
17
Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18 As one who is off his head sends about flaming sticks and arrows of death,
18
Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
19 So is the man who gets the better of his neighbour by deceit, and says, Am I not doing so in sport?
19
is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 Without wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no secret talk, argument is ended.
20
Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
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.