| International Standard Version | New Living Translation |
| 1Whoever isolates himself pursues selfish ends; he resists all sound advice. | 1Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. |
| 2A fool finds no satisfaction in trying to understand, for he would rather express his own opinion. | 2Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. |
| 3When an evil person comes, contempt also comes, along with dishonor and disgrace. | 3Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt. |
| 4The words a man says are as deep waters— a fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream. | 4Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. |
| 5It's not good to be partial towards an evil person, thereby depriving the righteous of justice. | 5It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent. |
| 6A fool's words bring strife, and his mouth invites fighting. | 6Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. |
| 7A fool's mouth is his unraveling, and his lips entrap himself. | 7The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. |
| 8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels as they descend to the innermost parts of the body. | 8Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. |
| 9Whoever is lazy regarding his work is also a brother to the master of destruction. | 9A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. |
| 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; a righteous person rushes to it and is lifted up above the danger. | 10The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. |
| 11The wealth of a rich person is his fortified city; in his own imagination, it is like a high wall. | 11The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. |
| 12Before a man's downfall, his mind is arrogant, but humility precedes honor. | 12Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. |
| 13Whoever answers before listening is both foolish and shameful. | 13Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. |
| 14A man's spirit can sustain him during his illness, but who can bear a crushed spirit? | 14The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? |
| 15The mind of a discerning person gains knowledge, while the ears of wise people seek out knowledge. | 15Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. |
| 16A person's gift opens doors for him, bringing him access to important people. | 16Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! |
| 17The first to put forth his case seems right, until someone else steps forward and cross-examines him. | 17The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins. |
| 18Casting dice settles a dispute, deciding between strong contenders. | 18Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents. |
| 19An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and his disputes are like the bars of a fortress. | 19An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars. |
| 20The positive words that a man speaks fill his stomach; he will be satisfied with what his lips produce. | 20Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. |
| 21The power of the tongue is life and death— those who love to talk will eat what it produces. | 21The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. |
| 22Whoever finds a wife finds what is good, and receives favor from the LORD. | 22The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD. |
| 23The poor person pleads for mercy, but the wealthy man responds harshly. | 23The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults. |
| 24A man with many friends can still be ruined, but a true friend sticks closer than a brother. | 24There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | 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. |
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