The Selfishness of the Unfriendly 1 ULT One who separates himself seeks for desire; against all sound wisdom, he breaks out. BSB BSB: He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 ULT A stupid one does not delight in understanding but rather in his heart revealing itself. BSB BSB: A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 ULT When a wicked one comes, contempt also comes, and with shame, reproach. BSB BSB: With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 ULT The words of the mouth of a man{ are} deep waters; a fountain of wisdom{ is} a gushing stream. BSB BSB: The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 ULT { It is} not good to lift the face of the wicked, to turn aside the righteous in the judgment. BSB BSB: Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 ULT The lips of a stupid one enter into a dispute, and his mouth calls for blows. BSB BSB: A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 ULT The mouth of a stupid one{ is} ruin for him, and his lips{ are} a snare of his life. BSB BSB: A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 ULT The words of a murmurer{ are} like things swallowed greedily, and they themselves go down into the rooms of the belly. BSB BSB: The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 ULT Also, one who slacks in his work, he{ is} a brother to an owner of destruction. BSB BSB: Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 ULT The name of Yahweh{ is} a tower of strength; the righteous{ one} runs into it and is set on high. BSB BSB: The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 ULT The wealth of the rich one{ is} the city of his strength and like a wall set on high— in his imagination. BSB BSB: A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 ULT To the face of breaking, the heart of a man is exalted, but to the face of honor— humility. BSB BSB: Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 ULT One who returns a word before he listens, it{ is} folly to him and shame. BSB BSB: He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 ULT The spirit of a man will endure his illness, but a crushed spirit, who can lift it? BSB BSB: The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 ULT The heart of an understanding one acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. BSB BSB: The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 ULT The gift of a man will make room for him, and before the face of great ones it will guide him. BSB BSB: A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 ULT The first one with his case{ is} right; then his neighbor comes and examines him. BSB BSB: The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 ULT The lot causes quarrels to cease, and between mighty ones, it makes a separation. BSB BSB: Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 ULT A brother offended{ is} more than a city of strength, and quarrels{ are} like the gate bar of a fortress. BSB BSB: An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 ULT From the fruit of the mouth of a man his belly is satisfied;{ with} the produce of his lips, he is satisfied. BSB BSB: From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 ULT Death and life{ are} in the hand of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. BSB BSB: Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 ULT He who finds a wife finds good, and he obtains favor from Yahweh. BSB BSB: He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 ULT One who is poor speaks pleas, but a rich one answers harshly. BSB BSB: The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 ULT A man of companions{ is} to be broken, but there is one who loves, clinging more 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.