The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Message Bible MSG
1 He who loves knowledge loves discipline, but he who hates correction is a boor.
1
If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it - how shortsighted to refuse correction!
2 A good man obtains ADONAI's favor, but the schemer his condemnation.
2
A good person basks in the delight of God, and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.
3 No one is made secure by wickedness, but the roots of the righteous will never be moved.
3
You can't find firm footing in a swamp, but life rooted in God stands firm.
4 A capable wife is a crown for her husband, but a shameful one is like rot in his bones.
4
A hearty wife invigorates her husband, but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the schemes of the wicked are deceitful.
5
The thinking of principled people makes for justice; the plots of degenerates corrupt.
6 The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
6
The words of the wicked kill; the speech of the upright saves.
7 Once the wicked are down, it's the end of them; but the house of the upright endures.
7
Wicked people fall to pieces - there's nothing to them; the homes of good people hold together.
8 A person wins praise in keeping with his common sense, but a person with a warped mind is treated with contempt.
8
A person who talks sense is honored; airheads are held in contempt.
9 Better to be despised and have a servant than to boast of one's status but have nothing to eat.
9
Better to be ordinary and work for a living than act important and starve in the process.
10 A righteous man takes care of his animal, but the wicked? Even his compassion is cruel.
10
Good people are good to their animals; the "good-hearted" bad people kick and abuse them.
11 He who farms his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows futilities has no sense.
11
The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies.
12 The wicked covet the loot of evil men, but the root of the righteous gives forth of itself.
12
What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin, while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life. Wise People Take Advice
13 The wicked is trapped by his own sinful speech, but the righteous finds a way out of trouble.
13
The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.
14 One can be filled with good as the result of one's words, and one gets the reward one's deeds deserve.
14
Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward.
15 Fools suppose their way is straight, but the wise pay attention to advice.
15
Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.
16 A fool's anger is known at once, but a cautious person slighted conceals his feelings.
16
Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly shrug off insults.
17 He who tells the truth furthers justice, but a false witness furthers deceit.
17
Truthful witness by a good person clears the air, but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.
18 Idle talk can pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise can heal.
18
Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise.
19 Truthful words will stand forever, lying speech but a moment.
19
Truth lasts; lies are here today, gone tomorrow.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but for those advising peace there is joy.
20
Evil scheming distorts the schemer; peace-planning brings joy to the planner.
21 No harm can come to the righteous, but the wicked are overwhelmed with disaster.
21
No evil can overwhelm a good person, but the wicked have their hands full of it.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to ADONAI, but those who deal faithfully are his delight.
22
God can't stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word.
23 A cautious person conceals knowledge, but the heart of a fool blurts out folly.
23
Prudent people don't flaunt their knowledge; talkative fools broadcast their silliness.
24 The diligent will rule, while the lazy will be put to forced labor.
24
The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.
25 Anxiety in a person's heart weighs him down, but a kind word cheers him up.
25
Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.
26 The righteous guides his friend's way rightly, but the way of the wicked will lead them astray.
26
A good person survives misfortune, but a wicked life invites disaster.
27 A lazy man doesn't roast what he hunted; but when a man is diligent, his wealth is precious.
27
A lazy life is an empty life, but "early to rise" gets the job done.
28 In the road of righteousness is life; no death is in its pathway.
28
Good men and women travel right into life; sin's detours take you straight to hell.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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.