The Selfishness of the Unfriendly 1 DRA He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach. BSB BSB: He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 DRA A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart. BSB BSB: A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 DRA The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him. BSB BSB: With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 DRA Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream. BSB BSB: The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 DRA It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment. BSB BSB: Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 DRA The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels. BSB BSB: A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 DRA The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul. BSB BSB: A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 DRA The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry. BSB BSB: The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 DRA He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works. BSB BSB: Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 DRA The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted. BSB BSB: The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 DRA The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about. BSB BSB: A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 DRA Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled. BSB BSB: Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 DRA He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion. BSB BSB: He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 DRA The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear? BSB BSB: The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 DRA A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction. BSB BSB: The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 DRA A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes. BSB BSB: A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 DRA The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him. BSB BSB: The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 DRA The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty. BSB BSB: Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 DRA A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities. BSB BSB: An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 DRA Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him. BSB BSB: From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 DRA Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof. BSB BSB: Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 DRA He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked. BSB BSB: He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 DRA The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly. BSB BSB: The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 DRA A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother. BSB BSB: A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.