New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
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A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
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Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.
3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
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God doesn't miss a thing - he's alert to good and evil alike.
4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
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Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
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Moral dropouts won't listen to their elders; welcoming correction is a mark of good sense.
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
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The lives of God-loyal people flourish; a misspent life is soon bankrupt.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.
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Perceptive words spread knowledge; fools are hollow - there's nothing to them.
8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
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God can't stand pious poses, but he delights in genuine prayers.
9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
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A life frittered away disgusts God; he loves those who run straight for the finish line.
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.
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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.
11 Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more do human hearts!
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Even hell holds no secrets from God - do you think he can't read human hearts? Life Ascends to the Heights
12 Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.
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Know-it-alls don't like being told what to do; they avoid the company of wise men and women.
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
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A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
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An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth; fools feed on fast-food fads and fancies.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
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A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song.
16 Better a little with the fear of the LORDthan great wealth with turmoil.
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A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches.
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.
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Better a bread crust shared in love than a slab of prime rib served in hate.
18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
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Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
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The path of lazy people is overgrown with briers; the diligent walk down a smooth road.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
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Intelligent children make their parents proud; lazy students embarrass their parents.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
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The empty-headed treat life as a plaything; the perceptive grasp its meaning and make a go of it.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
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Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.
23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!
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Congenial conversation - what a pleasure! The right word at the right time - beautiful!
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
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Life ascends to the heights for the thoughtful - it's a clean about-face from descent into hell.
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
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God smashes the pretensions of the arrogant; he stands with those who have no standing.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.
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God can't stand evil scheming, but he puts words of grace and beauty on display.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
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A greedy and grasping person destroys community; those who refuse to exploit live and let live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
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Prayerful answers come from God-loyal people; the wicked are sewers of abuse.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
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God keeps his distance from the wicked; he closely attends to the prayers of God-loyal people.
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
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A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart, and good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle.
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
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Listen to good advice if you want to live well, an honored guest among wise men and women.
32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
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An undisciplined, self-willed life is puny; an obedient, God-willed life is spacious.
33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.
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Fear-of-God is a school in skilled living - first you learn humility, then you experience glory.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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.