English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
1
If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it - how shortsighted to refuse correction!
2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of evil devices he condemns.
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A good person basks in the delight of God, and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.
3 No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
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You can't find firm footing in a swamp, but life rooted in God stands firm.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
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A hearty wife invigorates her husband, but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
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The thinking of principled people makes for justice; the plots of degenerates corrupt.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
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The words of the wicked kill; the speech of the upright saves.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.
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Wicked people fall to pieces - there's nothing to them; the homes of good people hold together.
8 A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.
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A person who talks sense is honored; airheads are held in contempt.
9 Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.
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Better to be ordinary and work for a living than act important and starve in the process.
10 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
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Good people are good to their animals; the "good-hearted" bad people kick and abuse them.
11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
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The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies.
12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
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What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin, while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life. Wise People Take Advice
13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
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The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.
14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
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Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
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Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.
16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.
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Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly shrug off insults.
17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
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Truthful witness by a good person clears the air, but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.
18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
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Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
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Truth lasts; lies are here today, gone tomorrow.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
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Evil scheming distorts the schemer; peace-planning brings joy to the planner.
21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
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No evil can overwhelm a good person, but the wicked have their hands full of it.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
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God can't stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
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Prudent people don't flaunt their knowledge; talkative fools broadcast their silliness.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
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The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.
25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
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Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
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A good person survives misfortune, but a wicked life invites disaster.
27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
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A lazy life is an empty life, but "early to rise" gets the job done.
28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.
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Good men and women travel right into life; sin's detours take you straight to hell.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
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.