Septuagint Bible w/ Apocrypha LXX
New Revised Standard w/ Apocrypha NRSA
1 Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.
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Every friend says, "I too am a friend"; but some friends are friends only in name.
2 Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?
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Is it not a sorrow like that for death itself when a dear friend turns into an enemy?
3 O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit?
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O inclination to evil, why were you formed to cover the land with deceit?
4 There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.
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Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend, but in time of trouble they are against him.
5 There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.
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Some companions help a friend for their stomachs' sake, yet in battle they will carry his shield.
6 Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.
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Do not forget a friend during the battle, and do not be unmindful of him when you distribute your spoils.
7 Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself.
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All counselors praise the counsel they give, but some give counsel in their own interest.
8 Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee,
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Be wary of a counselor, and learn first what is his interest, for he will take thought for himself. He may cast the lot against you
9 And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee.
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and tell you, "Your way is good," and then stand aside to see what happens to you.
10 Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.
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Do not consult the one who regards you with suspicion; hide your intentions from those who are jealous of you.
11 Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward in matters of war; nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer of selling; nor with an envious man of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness; nor with the slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a year of finishing work; nor with an idle servant of much business: hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel.
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Do not consult with a woman about her rival or with a coward about war, with a merchant about business or with a buyer about selling, with a miser about generosity or with the merciless about kindness, with an idler about any work or with a seasonal laborer about completing his work, with a lazy servant about a big task— pay no attention to any advice they give.
12 But be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose, mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.
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But associate with a godly person whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, who is like-minded with yourself, and who will grieve with you if you fail.
13 And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.
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And heed the counsel of your own heart, for no one is more faithful to you than it is.
14 For a man's mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.
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For our own mind sometimes keeps us better informed than seven sentinels sitting high on a watchtower.
15 And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.
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But above all pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.
16 Let reason go before every enterprise, and counsel before every action.
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Discussion is the beginning of every work, and counsel precedes every undertaking.
17 The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.
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The mind is the root of all conduct;
18 Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.
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it sprouts four branches, good and evil, life and death; and it is the tongue that continually rules them.
19 There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.
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Some people may be clever enough to teach many, and yet be useless to themselves.
20 There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.
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A skillful speaker may be hated; he will be destitute of all food,
21 For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.
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for the Lord has withheld the gift of charm, since he is lacking in all wisdom.
22 Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.
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If a person is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his good sense will be praiseworthy.
23 A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.
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A wise person instructs his own people, and the fruits of his good sense will endure.
24 A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.
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A wise person will have praise heaped upon him, and all who see him will call him happy.
25 The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.
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The days of a person's life are numbered, but the days of Israel are without number.
26 A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual.
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One who is wise among his people will inherit honor, and his name will live forever.
27 My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.
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My child, test yourself while you live; see what is bad for you and do not give in to it.
28 For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.
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For not everything is good for everyone, and no one enjoys everything.
29 Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:
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Do not be greedy for every delicacy, and do not eat without restraint;
30 For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.
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for overeating brings sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea.
31 By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.
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Many have died of gluttony, but the one who guards against it prolongs his life.
The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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.