The Selfishness of the Unfriendly 1 UDB The one who keeps himself away from other people will only live for his own desires, and he never acts with good judgment. BSB BSB: He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 UDB A foolish person does not enjoy understanding anything; he only wants to tell others what he thinks. BSB BSB: A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 UDB A wicked person comes, and with him comes the contempt he has for other people— and then comes shame and disgrace following along. BSB BSB: With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 UDB The words a man speaks are like the deep waters of an ocean or a fountain that flows with wisdom. BSB BSB: The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 UDB When wicked people are treated with special honor, it is not good, and it is not good to refuse to give justice to those who do what is right. BSB BSB: Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 UDB A foolish person says things that start arguments; he says things that make other people want to beat him with a stick. BSB BSB: A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 UDB A foolish person brings himself to ruin by the things he says; his very words set a trap in which he will be caught. BSB BSB: A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 UDB When a person gossips, his words are as sweet to other people as candy is in their mouths, and they love to listen to them. BSB BSB: The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 UDB The person who does a poor job when he is working is a relative to the one who destroys everything. BSB BSB: Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 UDB The name of Yahweh is like a castle that can never be overrun; those who do what is right run for safety into it, and in the fortress of his name, they are safe. BSB BSB: The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 UDB The wealthy person depends on his wealth as a city depends on its fortifications; he thinks it protects him as well as a high wall. BSB BSB: A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 UDB When a person is about to be ruined, it is his proud heart that brings his destruction, but before a person can gain great honor, he must first learn to become humble. BSB BSB: Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 UDB A person who gives you an answer before he listens to you— there is nothing more foolish and nothing that gives him more shame. BSB BSB: He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 UDB A person may survive a terrible sickness in his body, but if he feels his inner self is crushed, how can he survive? BSB BSB: The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 UDB Intelligent people have a desire to get more and more knowledge, and wise people will find someone to teach them even more knowledge. BSB BSB: The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 UDB If you take a gift to an important person, you will open the way to allow you to talk to him. BSB BSB: A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 UDB The first person to present his case before a judge seems right until the other side comes and questions him. BSB BSB: The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 UDB When there are two strong people having a dispute, casting lots can help to settle the dispute. BSB BSB: Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 UDB If you offend your brother, finding a way to have peace with him again may be harder than waging a battle to win a city, and resolving an argument is very difficult, liking breaking down the bars of a castle. BSB BSB: An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 UDB The words a person speaks can bring satisfaction to himself, like the food he eats satisfies his stomach. BSB BSB: From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 UDB People are able to kill others or keep them alive by means of what they say, and there is danger for those who love the power of their speaking. BSB BSB: Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 UDB The one who finds a wife finds something so good it is a gift to bless his life, and it is Yahweh who gives him this wonderful gift. BSB BSB: He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 UDB A poor person desperately begs for mercy, but a rich person is rude when he answers. BSB BSB: The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 UDB One person says that he has many friends, but his life is ruined by them; but there is a friend who stands with us through everything, and he is always close at our side, even closer 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.