Bible in Basic English
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.
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
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.
The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
— Proverbs 18:8-1964, Bible in Basic English
“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. He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works. The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted. The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about. Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled. He that answereth before he heareth, sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion. The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear? A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction. A man's gift enlargeth his way, and maketh him room before princes. The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him. The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty. A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities. Of the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof. 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. The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly. A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother. ”
“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord. The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. ”
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
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.
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
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.
The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.