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New International Version (NIV) |
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1 A meal of bread and water in contented peace is better than a banquet spiced with quarrels.
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1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
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2 A wise servant takes charge of an unruly child and is honored as one of the family.
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2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
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3 As silver in a crucible and gold in a pan, so our lives are assayed by God.
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3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.
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4 Evil people relish malicious conversation; the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip.
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4 A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.
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5 Whoever mocks poor people, insults their Creator; gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime.
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5 He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
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6 Old people are distinguished by grandchildren; children take pride in their parents.
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6 Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
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7 We don't expect eloquence from fools, nor do we expect lies from our leaders.
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7 Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool-- how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
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8 Receiving a gift is like getting a rare gemstone; any way you look at it, you see beauty refracted.
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8 A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
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9 Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and - good-bye, friend!
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9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
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10 A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense does more than a whack on the head of a fool.
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10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.
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11 Criminals out looking for nothing but trouble won't have to wait long - they'll meet it coming and going!
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11 An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him.
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12 Better to meet a grizzly robbed of her cubs than a fool hellbent on folly.
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12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.
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13 Those who return evil for good will meet their own evil returning.
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13 If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
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14 The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts.
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14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
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15 Whitewashing bad people and throwing mud on good people are equally abhorrent to God.
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15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent-- the LORD detests them both.
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16 What's this? Fools out shopping for wisdom! They wouldn't recognize it if they saw it! One Who Knows Much Says Little
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16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?
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17 Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
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17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
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18 It's stupid to try to get something for nothing, or run up huge bills you can never pay.
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18 A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.
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19 The person who courts sin, marries trouble; build a wall, invite a burglar.
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19 He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction.
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20 A bad motive can't achieve a good end; double-talk brings you double trouble.
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20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
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21 Having a fool for a child is misery; it's no fun being the parent of a dolt.
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21 To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool.
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22 A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.
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22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
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23 The wicked take bribes under the table; they show nothing but contempt for justice.
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23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.
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24 The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard; fools look for it everywhere but right here.
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24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
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25 A surly, stupid child is sheer pain to a father, a bitter pill for a mother to swallow.
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25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.
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26 It's wrong to penalize good behavior, or make good citizens pay for the crimes of others.
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26 It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity.
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27 The one who knows much says little; an understanding person remains calm.
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27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
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28 Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut, they're smart.
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28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
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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) |
