Good News Translation GNT
New International Version NIV
1 If you have to choose between a good reputation and great wealth, choose a good reputation.
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A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.
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Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.
3 Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later.
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The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
4 Obey the Lord, be humble, and you will get riches, honor, and a long life.
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Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.
5 If you love your life, stay away from the traps that catch the wicked along the way.
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In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.
6 Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.
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Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
7 Poor people are slaves of the rich. Borrow money and you are the lender's slave.
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The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8 If you plant the seeds of injustice, disaster will spring up, and your oppression of others will end.
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Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
9 Be generous and share your food with the poor. You will be blessed for it.
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The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
10 Get rid of a conceited person, and then there will be no more arguments, quarreling, or name-calling.
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Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.
11 If you love purity of heart and graciousness of speech, the king will be your friend.
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One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.
12 The Lord sees to it that truth is kept safe by disproving the words of liars.
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The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 Lazy people stay at home; they say a lion might get them if they go outside.
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The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!”
14 Adultery is a trap - it catches those with whom the Lord is angry.
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The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the LORD’s wrath falls into it.
15 Children just naturally do silly, careless things, but a good spanking will teach them how to behave.
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Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.
16 If you make gifts to rich people or oppress the poor to get rich, you will become poor yourself.
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One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
17 Listen, and I will teach you what the wise have said. Study their teachings,
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Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
18 and you will be glad if you remember them and can quote them.
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for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 I want you to put your trust in the Lord; that is why I am going to tell them to you now.
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So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.
20 I have written down thirty sayings for you. They contain knowledge and good advice,
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Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 and will teach you what the truth really is. Then when you are sent to find it out, you will bring back the right answer.
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teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve?
22 Don't take advantage of the poor just because you can; don't take advantage of those who stand helpless in court.
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Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,
23 The Lord will argue their case for them and threaten the life of anyone who threatens theirs.
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for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life.
24 Don't make friends with people who have hot, violent tempers.
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Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,
25 You might learn their habits and not be able to change.
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or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
26 Don't promise to be responsible for someone else's debts.
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Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;
27 If you should be unable to pay, they will take away even your bed.
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if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.
28 Never move an old property line that your ancestors established.
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Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.
29 Show me someone who does a good job, and I will show you someone who is better than most and worthy of the company of kings.
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Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
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.