The Message Bible MSG
World English Bible WEB
1 A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
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A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.
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The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, But the mouth of fools gush out folly.
3 God doesn't miss a thing - he's alert to good and evil alike.
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Yahweh's eyes are everywhere, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
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A gentle tongue is a tree of life, But deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 Moral dropouts won't listen to their elders; welcoming correction is a mark of good sense.
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A fool despises his father's correction, But he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 The lives of God-loyal people flourish; a misspent life is soon bankrupt.
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In the house of the righteous is much treasure, But the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 Perceptive words spread knowledge; fools are hollow - there's nothing to them.
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The lips of the wise spread knowledge; Not so with the heart of fools.
8 God can't stand pious poses, but he delights in genuine prayers.
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The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 A life frittered away disgusts God; he loves those who run straight for the finish line.
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The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, But he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 It's a school of hard knocks for those who leave God's path, a dead-end street for those who hate God's rules.
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There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Even hell holds no secrets from God - do you think he can't read human hearts? Life Ascends to the Heights
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Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh -- How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 Know-it-alls don't like being told what to do; they avoid the company of wise men and women.
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A scoffer doesn't love to be reproved; He will not go to the wise.
13 A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.
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A glad heart makes a cheerful face; But an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth; fools feed on fast-food fads and fancies.
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The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song.
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All the days of the afflicted are wretched, But one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches.
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Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, Than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better a bread crust shared in love than a slab of prime rib served in hate.
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Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.
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A wrathful man stirs up contention, But one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The path of lazy people is overgrown with briers; the diligent walk down a smooth road.
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The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, But the path of the upright is a highway.
20 Intelligent children make their parents proud; lazy students embarrass their parents.
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A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 The empty-headed treat life as a plaything; the perceptive grasp its meaning and make a go of it.
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Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, But a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.
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Where there is no counsel, plans fail; But in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23 Congenial conversation - what a pleasure! The right word at the right time - beautiful!
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Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
24 Life ascends to the heights for the thoughtful - it's a clean about-face from descent into hell.
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The path of life leads upward for the wise, To keep him from going downward to Sheol.
25 God smashes the pretensions of the arrogant; he stands with those who have no standing.
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Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, But he will keep the widow's borders intact.
26 God can't stand evil scheming, but he puts words of grace and beauty on display.
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Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, But the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 A greedy and grasping person destroys community; those who refuse to exploit live and let live.
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He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
28 Prayerful answers come from God-loyal people; the wicked are sewers of abuse.
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The heart of the righteous weighs answers, But the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 God keeps his distance from the wicked; he closely attends to the prayers of God-loyal people.
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Yahweh is far from the wicked, But he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart, and good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle.
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The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 Listen to good advice if you want to live well, an honored guest among wise men and women.
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The ear that listens to the reproof lives, And will be at home among the wise.
32 An undisciplined, self-willed life is puny; an obedient, God-willed life is spacious.
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He who refuses correction despises his own soul, But he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 Fear-of-God is a school in skilled living - first you learn humility, then you experience glory.
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The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
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.
The World English Bible is in the public domain.