The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
2 Ignorant zeal is worthless; haste makes waste.
2
Desire without knowledge is not good— how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
3 People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does God always get blamed?
3
A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the LORD.
4 Wealth attracts friends as honey draws flies, but poor people are avoided like a plague.
4
Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.
5 Perjury won't go unpunished. Would you let a liar go free?
5
A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.
6 Lots of people flock around a generous person; everyone's a friend to the philanthropist.
6
Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
7 When you're down on your luck, even your family avoids you - yes, even your best friends wish you'd get lost. If they see you coming, they look the other way - out of sight, out of mind.
7
The poor are shunned by all their relatives— how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.
8 Grow a wise heart - you'll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head - you'll find a good life.
8
The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
9 The person who tells lies gets caught; the person who spreads rumors is ruined.
9
A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.
10 Blockheads shouldn't live on easy street any more than workers should give orders to their boss.
10
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11 Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget.
11
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
12 Mean-tempered leaders are like mad dogs; the good-natured are like fresh morning dew.
12
A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
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.