The Message Bible MSG
New Living Translation NLT
1 Lady Wisdom builds a lovely home; Sir Fool comes along and tears it down brick by brick.
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A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
2 An honest life shows respect for God; a degenerate life is a slap in his face.
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Those who follow the right path fear the LORD ; those who take the wrong path despise him.
3 Frivolous talk provokes a derisive smile; wise speech evokes nothing but respect.
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A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.
4 No cattle, no crops; a good harvest requires a strong ox for the plow.
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Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
5 A true witness never lies; a false witness makes a business of it.
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An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.
6 Cynics look high and low for wisdom - and never find it; the open-minded find it right on their doorstep!
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A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
7 Escape quickly from the company of fools; they're a waste of your time, a waste of your words.
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Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.
8 The wisdom of the wise keeps life on track; the foolishness of fools lands them in the ditch.
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The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.
9 The stupid ridicule right and wrong, but a moral life is a favored life.
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Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
10 The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations.
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Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
11 Lives of careless wrongdoing are tumbledown shacks; holy living builds soaring cathedrals.
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The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish.
12 There's a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again - it leads straight to hell.
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There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
13 Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak. Sift and Weigh Every Word
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Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
14 A mean person gets paid back in meanness, a gracious person in grace.
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Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.
15 The gullible believe anything they're told; the prudent sift and weigh every word.
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Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.
16 The wise watch their steps and avoid evil; fools are headstrong and reckless.
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The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
17 The hotheaded do things they'll later regret; the coldhearted get the cold shoulder.
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Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.
18 Foolish dreamers live in a world of illusion; wise realists plant their feet on the ground.
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Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Eventually, evil will pay tribute to good; the wicked will respect God-loyal people.
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Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.
20 An unlucky loser is shunned by all, but everyone loves a winner.
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The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.”
21 It's criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor - what a blessing!
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It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.
22 Isn't it obvious that conspirators lose out, while the thoughtful win love and trust?
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If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
23 Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table.
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Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!
24 The wise accumulate wisdom; fools get stupider by the day.
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Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.
25 Souls are saved by truthful witness and betrayed by the spread of lies.
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A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.
26 The Fear-of-God builds up confidence, and makes a world safe for your children.
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Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.
27 The Fear-of-God is a spring of living water so you won't go off drinking from poisoned wells.
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Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.
28 The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following.
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A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing.
29 Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity.
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People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.
30 A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.
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A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
31 You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless; when you're kind to the poor, you honor God.
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Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.
32 The evil of bad people leaves them out in the cold; the integrity of good people creates a safe place for living.
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The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.
33 Lady Wisdom is at home in an understanding heart - fools never even get to say hello.
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Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.
34 God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak.
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Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 Diligent work gets a warm commendation; shiftless work earns an angry rebuke.
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A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him.
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.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.