New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
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Loners who care only for themselves spit on the common good.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
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Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth.
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
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When wickedness arrives, shame's not far behind; contempt for life is contemptible.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
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Many words rush along like rivers in flood, but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
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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 bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
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The words of a fool start fights; do him a favor and gag him.
7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
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Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
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Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
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Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.
10 The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
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God's name is a place of protection - good people can run there and be safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
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The rich think their wealth protects them; they imagine themselves safe behind it.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
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Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor.
13 To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
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Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
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A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
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Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.
16 A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
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A gift gets attention; it buys the attention of eminent people.
17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
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The first speech in a court case is always convincing - until the cross-examination starts!
18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
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You may have to draw straws when faced with a tough decision.
19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
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Do a favor and win a friend forever; nothing can untie that bond.
20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
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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 The tongue has the power of life and death, and 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 and receives 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 mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
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The poor speak in soft supplications; the rich bark out answers.
24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.
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.