The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; he directs it to whatever ends he chooses.
1
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 We justify our actions by appearances; God examines our motives.
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Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3 Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors mean far more to God than religious performance.
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To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Arrogance and pride - distinguishing marks in the wicked - are just plain sin.
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An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5 Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.
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The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 Make it to the top by lying and cheating; get paid with smoke and a promotion - to death!
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The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The wicked get buried alive by their loot because they refuse to use it to help others.
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The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 Mixed motives twist life into tangles; pure motives take you straight down the road. Do Your Best, Prepare for the Worst
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The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.
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It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 Wicked souls love to make trouble; they feel nothing for friends and neighbors.
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The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 Simpletons only learn the hard way, but the wise learn by listening.
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When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 A God-loyal person will see right through the wicked and undo the evil they've planned.
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The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13 If you stop your ears to the cries of the poor, your cries will go unheard, unanswered.
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Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A quietly given gift soothes an irritable person; a heartfelt present cools a hot temper.
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A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 Good people celebrate when justice triumphs, but for the workers of evil it's a bad day.
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It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 Whoever wanders off the straight and narrow ends up in a congregation of ghosts.
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The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 You're addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied.
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He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 What a bad person plots against the good, boomerangs; the plotter gets it in the end.
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The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 Better to live in a tent in the wild than with a cross and petulant spouse.
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It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 Valuables are safe in a wise person's home; fools put it all out for yard sales.
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There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind finds life itself - glorious life!
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He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 One sage entered a whole city of armed soldiers - their trusted defenses fell to pieces!
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A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief.
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Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 You know their names - Brash, Impudent, Blasphemer - intemperate hotheads, every one.
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Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 Lazy people finally die of hunger because they won't get up and go to work.
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The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 Sinners are always wanting what they don't have; the God-loyal are always giving what they do have.
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He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 Religious performance by the wicked stinks; it's even worse when they use it to get ahead.
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The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 A lying witness is unconvincing; a person who speaks truth is respected.
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A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 Unscrupulous people fake it a lot; honest people are sure of their steps.
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A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30 Nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived, can get the better of God.
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There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 Do your best, prepare for the worst - then trust God to bring victory.
31
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
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 King James Version is in the public domain.