| kjv | web | basic | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. | An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. | He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense. | ||
| 2. | A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. | A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. | A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light. | ||
| 3. | When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. | When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace. | When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame. | ||
| 4. | The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. | The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. | The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream. | ||
| 5. | It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. | To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice. | To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright. | ||
| 6. | A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. | A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. | A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows. | ||
| 7. | A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. | A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul. | The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul. | ||
| 8. | The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. | The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person's innermost parts. | The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach. | ||
| 9. | He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. | One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction. | He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction. | ||
| 10. | The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. | The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe. | ||
| 11. | The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. | The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. | The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart. | ||
| 12. | Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. | Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. | Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit. | ||
| 13. | He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. | He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him. | To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame. | ||
| 14. | The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? | A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear? | The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up? | ||
| 15. | The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. | The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge. | The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge. | ||
| 16. | A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. | A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. | A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men. | ||
| 17. | He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. | He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him. | The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light. | ||
| 18. | The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. | The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart. | The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong. | ||
| 19. | A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. | A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a castle. | A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower. | ||
| 20. | A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. | A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. | With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure. | ||
| 21. | Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. | Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. | Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food. | ||
| 22. | Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. | Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh. | Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord. | ||
| 23. | The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. | The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. | The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer. | ||
| 24. | A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. | A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother. | ||