The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New International Version NIV
15 The lazy person buries his hand in the dish but is too tired to return it to his mouth.
15
A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 A lazy man is wiser in his own view than seven who can answer with sense.
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A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 Like someone who grabs a dog by the ears is a passer-by who mixes in a fight not his own.
17
Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18 Like a madman shooting deadly arrows and firebrands
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Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
19 is one who deceives another, then says, "It was just a joke."
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is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 If there's no wood, the fire goes out; if nobody gossips, contention stops.
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Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 As coals are to embers and wood to fire is a quarrelsome person to kindling strife.
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As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 A slanderer's words are tasty morsels; they slide right down into the belly.
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The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
23 Like silver slag overlaid on a clay pot are lips that burn [with friendship] over a hating heart.
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Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 He who hates may hide it with his speech; but inside, he harbors deceit.
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Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 He may speak pleasantly, but don't trust him; for seven abominations are in his heart.
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Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26 His hatred may be concealed by deceit, but his wickedness will be revealed in the assembly.
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Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on the one who starts it rolling.
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Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
28
A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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.