Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.
1
A meal of bread and water in contented peace is better than a banquet spiced with quarrels.
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, And shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
2
A wise servant takes charge of an unruly child and is honored as one of the family.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts.
3
As silver in a crucible and gold in a pan, so our lives are assayed by God.
4 An evil-doer gives heed to wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
4
Evil people relish malicious conversation; the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
5
Whoever mocks poor people, insults their Creator; gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; The glory of children are their parents.
6
Old people are distinguished by grandchildren; children take pride in their parents.
7 Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, Much less do lying lips fit a prince.
7
We don't expect eloquence from fools, nor do we expect lies from our leaders.
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
8
Receiving a gift is like getting a rare gemstone; any way you look at it, you see beauty refracted.
9 He who covers an offense promotes love; But he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
9
Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and - good-bye, friend!
10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred lashes into a fool.
10
A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense does more than a whack on the head of a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
11
Criminals out looking for nothing but trouble won't have to wait long - they'll meet it coming and going!
12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.
12
Better to meet a grizzly robbed of her cubs than a fool hellbent on folly.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.
13
Those who return evil for good will meet their own evil returning.
14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, Therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
14
The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts.
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
15
Whitewashing bad people and throwing mud on good people are equally abhorrent to God.
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he has no understanding?
16
What's this? Fools out shopping for wisdom! They wouldn't recognize it if they saw it! One Who Knows Much Says Little
17 A friend loves at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
17
Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, And becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
18
It's stupid to try to get something for nothing, or run up huge bills you can never pay.
19 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
19
The person who courts sin, marries trouble; build a wall, invite a burglar.
20 One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, And one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
20
A bad motive can't achieve a good end; double-talk brings you double trouble.
21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
21
Having a fool for a child is misery; it's no fun being the parent of a dolt.
22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, But a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
22
A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, To pervert the ways of justice.
23
The wicked take bribes under the table; they show nothing but contempt for justice.
24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the eretz.
24
The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard; fools look for it everywhere but right here.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.
25
A surly, stupid child is sheer pain to a father, a bitter pill for a mother to swallow.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to flog officials for their integrity.
26
It's wrong to penalize good behavior, or make good citizens pay for the crimes of others.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
27
The one who knows much says little; an understanding person remains calm.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
28
Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut, they're smart.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
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.