The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
23 Congenial conversation - what a pleasure! The right word at the right time - beautiful!
23
A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!
24 Life ascends to the heights for the thoughtful - it's a clean about-face from descent into hell.
24
The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
25 God smashes the pretensions of the arrogant; he stands with those who have no standing.
25
The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
26 God can't stand evil scheming, but he puts words of grace and beauty on display.
26
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.
27 A greedy and grasping person destroys community; those who refuse to exploit live and let live.
27
The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
28 Prayerful answers come from God-loyal people; the wicked are sewers of abuse.
28
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
29 God keeps his distance from the wicked; he closely attends to the prayers of God-loyal people.
29
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart, and good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle.
30
Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
31 Listen to good advice if you want to live well, an honored guest among wise men and women.
31
Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
32 An undisciplined, self-willed life is puny; an obedient, God-willed life is spacious.
32
Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
33 Fear-of-God is a school in skilled living - first you learn humility, then you experience glory.
33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.
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.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.