The Message Bible MSG
World English Bible WEB
1 Loners who care only for themselves spit on the common good.
1
An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, And defies all sound judgment.
2 Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth.
2
A fool has no delight in understanding, But only in broadcasting his own opinion.
3 When wickedness arrives, shame's not far behind; contempt for life is contemptible.
3
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, And with shame comes disgrace.
4 Many words rush along like rivers in flood, but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs.
4
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 It's not right to go easy on the guilty, or come down hard on the innocent.
5
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, Nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 The words of a fool start fights; do him a favor and gag him.
6
A fool's lips come into strife, And his mouth invites beatings.
7 Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words.
7
A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?
8
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: They go down into a person's innermost parts.
9 Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.
9
One who is slack in his work Is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 God's name is a place of protection - good people can run there and be safe.
10
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: The righteous run to him, and are safe.
11 The rich think their wealth protects them; they imagine themselves safe behind it.
11
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, Like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor.
12
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, But before honor is humility.
13 Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.
13
He who gives answer before he hears, That is folly and shame to him.
14 A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?
14
A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, But a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.
15
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A gift gets attention; it buys the attention of eminent people.
16
A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
17 The first speech in a court case is always convincing - until the cross-examination starts!
17
He who pleads his cause first seems right; Until another comes and questions him.
18 You may have to draw straws when faced with a tough decision.
18
The lot settles disputes, And keeps strong ones apart.
19 Do a favor and win a friend forever; nothing can untie that bond.
19
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; And disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.
20
A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - you choose.
21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; Those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Find a good spouse, you find a good life - and even more: the favor of God!
22
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor of Yahweh.
23 The poor speak in soft supplications; the rich bark out answers.
23
The poor pleads for mercy, But the rich answers harshly.
24 Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.
24
A man of many companions may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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.