New Revised Standard NRS
The Message Bible MSG
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.
1
If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it - how shortsighted to refuse correction!
2 The good obtain favor from the Lord, but those who devise evil he condemns.
2
A good person basks in the delight of God, and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.
3 No one finds security by wickedness, but the root 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 good wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
4
A hearty wife invigorates her husband, but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
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 delivers them.
6
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.
7
Wicked people fall to pieces - there's nothing to them; the homes of good people hold together.
8 One is commended for good sense, but a perverse mind is despised.
8
A person who talks sense is honored; airheads are held in contempt.
9 Better to be despised and have a servant, than to be self-important and lack food.
9
Better to be ordinary and work for a living than act important and starve in the process.
10 The righteous know the needs of their animals, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
10
Good people are good to their animals; the "good-hearted" bad people kick and abuse them.
11 Those who till their land will have plenty of food, but those who follow worthless pursuits have 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 proceeds of wickedness, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
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 evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips, but the righteous escape from trouble.
13
The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.
14 From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things, and manual labor has its reward.
14
Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward.
15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice.
15
Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.
16 Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent ignore an insult.
16
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 speaks deceitfully.
17
Truthful witness by a good person clears the air, but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.
18 Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
18
Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
19
Truth lasts; lies are here today, gone tomorrow.
20 Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil, but those who counsel peace have joy.
20
Evil scheming distorts the schemer; peace-planning brings joy to the planner.
21 No harm happens to the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
21
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.
22
God can't stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word.
23 One who is clever conceals knowledge, but the mind of a fool broadcasts folly.
23
Prudent people don't flaunt their knowledge; talkative fools broadcast their silliness.
24 The hand of 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 weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up.
25
Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.
26 The righteous gives good advice to friends, but the way of the wicked leads astray.
26
A good person survives misfortune, but a wicked life invites disaster.
27 The lazy do not roast their game, but the diligent obtain precious wealth.
27
A lazy life is an empty life, but "early to rise" gets the job done.
28 In the path of righteousness there is life, in walking its path there is no death.
28
Good men and women travel right into life; sin's detours take you straight to hell.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.