Common English Bible CEB
The Message Bible MSG
1 Unfriendly people look out for themselves; they bicker with sensible people.
1
Loners who care only for themselves spit on the common good.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing their opinion.
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Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth.
3 When the wicked arrive, so does contempt; with shame comes insult.
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When wickedness arrives, shame's not far behind; contempt for life is contemptible.
4 The words of a person's mouth are deep waters, a bubbling stream, a fountain of wisdom.
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Many words rush along like rivers in flood, but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs.
5 Favoring the wicked isn't good; it denies justice to the righteous.
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It's not right to go easy on the guilty, or come down hard on the innocent.
6 The lips of fools make accusations; their mouths elicit beatings.
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The words of a fool start fights; do him a favor and gag him.
7 The mouth of fools is their ruin; their lips are a trap for their lives.
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Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words.
8 The words of gossips are like choice snacks; they go down to the inmost parts.
8
Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?
9 Those who are lazy in their work are brothers to thugs.
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Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.
10 The LORD's name is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and find refuge.
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God's name is a place of protection - good people can run there and be safe.
11 The riches of the wealthy are a strong city and like a high wall in their imagination.
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The rich think their wealth protects them; they imagine themselves safe behind it.
12 Pride comes before a disaster, but humility comes before respect.
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Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor.
13 Those who answer before they listen are foolish and disgraceful.
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Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.
14 The human spirit sustains a sick person, but who can bear a broken spirit?
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A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?
15 An understanding mind gains knowledge; the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
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Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.
16 A gift opens the way for access to important people.
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A gift gets attention; it buys the attention of eminent people.
17 The first person to testify seems innocent, until the other comes and cross-examines him.
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The first speech in a court case is always convincing - until the cross-examination starts!
18 The dice settle conflicts and keep strong opponents apart.
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You may have to draw straws when faced with a tough decision.
19 An offended ally is more formidable than a city; such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
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Do a favor and win a friend forever; nothing can untie that bond.
20 The stomach is satisfied by the fruit of the mouth; one's lips can earn a satisfying income.
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Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
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Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - you choose.
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good, gaining favor from the LORD.
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Find a good spouse, you find a good life - and even more: the favor of God!
23 The poor plead for help, but the wealthy answer harshly.
23
The poor speak in soft supplications; the rich bark out answers.
24 There are persons for companionship, but then there are friends who are more loyal than family.
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Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
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.