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18 A person who isn’t friendly looks out only for himself.

He opposes all good sense.

2 A foolish person doesn’t want to understand.

He takes delight in saying only what he thinks.

3 People hate it when evil comes.

And they refuse to honor those who bring shame.

4 The words of a person’s mouth are like deep water.

But the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.

5 It isn’t good to favor those who do wrong.

And it isn’t good to hold back what is fair from those who aren’t guilty.

6 What a foolish person says leads to arguing.

He is just asking for a beating.

7 The words of a foolish person drag him down.

He is trapped by what he says.

8 The words of anyone who talks about others are like tasty bites of food.

They go deep down inside you.

9 Anyone who doesn’t want to work

is like someone who destroys.

10 The name of the Lord is like a strong tower.

Godly people run to it and are safe.

11 The wealth of rich people is like a city that makes them feel safe.

They think of it as a city with walls that can’t be climbed.

12 If a man’s heart is proud, he will be destroyed.

So don’t be proud if you want to be honored.

13 To answer before listening

is foolish and shameful.

14 A man’s cheerful heart gives him strength when he is sick.

You can’t keep going if you have a broken spirit.

15 Those whose hearts understand what is right get knowledge.

The ears of those who are wise listen for it.

16 A gift opens the way for the one who gives it.

It helps him meet important people.

17 The first one to tell his case seems right.

Then someone else comes forward and questions him.

18 Casting lots will put a stop to arguing.

It will keep the strongest enemies apart.

19 A broken friendship is harder to deal with than a city that has high walls around it.

And arguing is like the locked gates of a mighty city.

20 A man can fill his stomach with what he says.

The words from his lips can satisfy him.

21 Your tongue has the power of life and death.

Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words.

22 The one who finds a wife finds what is good.

He receives favor from the Lord.

23 Poor people beg for mercy.

But rich people answer in a mean way.

24 Even a man who has many companions can be destroyed.

But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

NIrV

About New International Reader’s Version (1998)

The New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) was developed to help early readers understand the Bible. Begun in 1992, the NIrV is a simplification of the New International Version (NIV). The NIrV uses shorter words and sentences so that those with a typical fourth grade reading level can comprehend what they are reading. The chapters have been separated into shorter sections and most have titles that clearly indicate what the section is all about. The NIrV will be a valuable translation to those for whom English is a second language. The NIrV still relies on the best and oldest copies of the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts for its translation, guaranteeing that those who read it are getting the actual Word of God.

Copyright

Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society.

All rights reserved.

The NIrV text may be quoted for non-commercial usage in any form (written, visual, electronic or audio) up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without the express written permission of the publisher, providing the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses quoted account for twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted.

Notice of copyright must appear on the title or copyright page of the work as follows:

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL READER’S VERSION™. Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

When quotations from the NIrV text are used in non-saleable media, such as church bulletins, orders of service, posters, transparencies or similar media, a complete copyright notice is not required, but the initials (NIrV) must appear at the end of each quotation.

Any commentary or other Biblical reference work produced for commercial sale that uses the New International Reader’s Version must obtain written permission for use of the NIrV text.

Permission requests for commercial use within the U.S. and Canada that exceed the above guidelines must be directed to, and approved in writing by, Zondervan, 5300 Patterson Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530.

Permission requests for commercial use within the U.K., EEC, and EFTA countries that exceed the above guidelines must be directed to, and approved in writing by, Hodder Headline Plc., 338 Euston Road, London NW1 3BH, England.

Permission requests for non-commercial usage that exceed the above guidelines must be directed to, and approved in writing by, International Bible Society, 1820 Jet Stream Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921.

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