| New Living Translation | English Standard Version |
| 1Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. | 1Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. |
| 2Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. | 2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. |
| 3Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt. | 3When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. |
| 4Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. | 4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. |
| 5It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent. | 5It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. |
| 6Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. | 6A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. |
| 7The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. | 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. |
| 8Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. | 8The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. |
| 9A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. | 9Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. |
| 10The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. | 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. |
| 11The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. | 11A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. |
| 12Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. | 12Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. |
| 13Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. | 13If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. |
| 14The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? | 14A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? |
| 15Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. | 15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. |
| 16Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! | 16A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. |
| 17The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins. | 17The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. |
| 18Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents. | 18The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. |
| 19An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars. | 19A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. |
| 20Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. | 20From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. |
| 21The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. | 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. |
| 22The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD. | 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. |
| 23The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults. | 23The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. |
| 24There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. | 24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. |
| Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. |
|
    |