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New International Version (NIV) |
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1 Wine makes you mean, beer makes you quarrelsome - a staggering drunk is not much fun.
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1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
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2 Quick-tempered leaders are like mad dogs - cross them and they bite your head off.
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2 A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion; he who angers him forfeits his life.
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3 It's a mark of good character to avert quarrels, but fools love to pick fights.
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3 It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
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4 A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall.
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4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
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5 Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.
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5 The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
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6 Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving, but where on earth can you find one?
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6 Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?
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7 God-loyal people, living honest lives, make it much easier for their children.
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7 The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.
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8 Leaders who know their business and care keep a sharp eye out for the shoddy and cheap,
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8 When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
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9 For who among us can be trusted to be always diligent and honest?
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9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"?
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10 Switching price tags and padding the expense account are two things God hates.
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10 Differing weights and differing measures-- the LORD detests them both.
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11 Young people eventually reveal by their actions if their motives are on the up and up. Drinking from the Chalice of Knowledge
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11 Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.
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12 Ears that hear and eyes that see - we get our basic equipment from God!
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12 Ears that hear and eyes that see-- the LORD has made them both.
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13 Don't be too fond of sleep; you'll end up in the poorhouse. Wake up and get up; then there'll be food on the table.
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13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.
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14 The shopper says, "That's junk - I'll take it off your hands," then goes off boasting of the bargain.
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14 "It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.
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15 Drinking from the beautiful chalice of knowledge is better than adorning oneself with gold and rare gems.
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15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
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16 Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger; beware of accepting what a transient has pawned.
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16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.
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17 Stolen bread tastes sweet, but soon your mouth is full of gravel.
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17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
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18 Form your purpose by asking for counsel, then carry it out using all the help you can get.
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18 Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.
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19 Gossips can't keep secrets, so never confide in blabbermouths.
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19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.
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20 Anyone who curses father and mother extinguishes light and exists benighted. The Very Steps We Take
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20 If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
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21 A bonanza at the beginning is no guarantee of blessing at the end.
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21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.
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22 Don't ever say, "I'll get you for that!" Wait for God; he'll settle the score.
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22 Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.
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23 God hates cheating in the marketplace; rigged scales are an outrage.
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23 The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.
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24 The very steps we take come from God; otherwise how would we know where we're going?
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24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?
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25 An impulsive vow is a trap; later you'll wish you could get out of it.
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25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.
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26 After careful scrutiny, a wise leader makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts.
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26 A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.
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27 God is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out.
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27 The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.
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28 Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.
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28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.
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29 Youth may be admired for vigor, but gray hair gives prestige to old age.
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29 The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.
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30 A good thrashing purges evil; punishment goes deep within us.
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30 Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.
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| Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved. (The Message Bible Online) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
