The Bible in Basic English BBE
Good News Translation GNT
1 A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.
1
Any who love knowledge want to be told when they are wrong. It is stupid to hate being corrected.
2 A good man has grace in the eyes of the Lord; but the man of evil designs gets punishment from him.
2
The Lord is pleased with good people, but condemns those who plan evil.
3 No man will make himself safe through evil-doing; but the root of upright men will never be moved.
3
Wickedness does not give security, but righteous people stand firm.
4 A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.
4
A good wife is her husband's pride and joy; but a wife who brings shame on her husband is like a cancer in his bones.
5 The purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers are deceit.
5
Honest people will treat you fairly; the wicked only want to deceive you.
6 The words of sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.
6
The words of the wicked are murderous, but the words of the righteous rescue those who are threatened.
7 Evil-doers are overturned and never seen again, but the house of upright men will keep its place.
7
The wicked meet their downfall and leave no descendants, but the families of the righteous live on.
8 A man will be praised in the measure of his wisdom, but a wrong-minded man will be looked down on.
8
If you are intelligent, you will be praised; if you are stupid, people will look down on you.
9 He who is of low position and has a servant, is better than one who has a high opinion of himself and is in need of bread.
9
It is better to be an ordinary person working for a living than to play the part of someone great but go hungry.
10 An upright man has thought for the life of his beast, but the hearts of evil-doers are cruel.
10
Good people take care of their animals, but wicked people are cruel to theirs.
11 He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.
11
A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat, but it is stupid to waste time on useless projects.
12 The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.
12
All that wicked people want is to find evil things to do, but the righteous stand firm.
13 In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.
13
The wicked are trapped by their own words, but honest people get themselves out of trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth will a man have good food in full measure, and the work of a man's hands will be rewarded.
14
Your reward depends on what you say and what you do; you will get what you deserve.
15 The way of the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.
15
Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice.
16 A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.
16
When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be known. Smart people will ignore an insult.
17 The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.
17
When you tell the truth, justice is done, but lies lead to injustice.
18 There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again.
18
Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.
19 True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.
19
A lie has a short life, but truth lives on forever.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.
20
Those who plan evil are in for a rude surprise, but those who work for good will find happiness.
21 No trouble will come to upright men, but sinners will be full of evil.
21
Nothing bad happens to righteous people, but the wicked have nothing but trouble.
22 False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.
22
The Lord hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.
23 A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.
23
Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance.
24 The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.
24
Hard work will give you power; being lazy will make you a slave.
25 Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.
25
Worry can rob you of happiness, but kind words will cheer you up.
26 The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.
26
The righteous person is a guide to his friend, but the path of the wicked leads them astray.
27 He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.
27
If you are lazy, you will never get what you are after, but if you work hard, you will get a fortune.
28 In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.
28
Righteousness is the road to life; wickedness is the road to death.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.