The Bible in Basic English BBE
Good News Translation GNT
1 A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold.
1
If you have to choose between a good reputation and great wealth, choose a good reputation.
2 The man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all.
2
The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.
3 The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.
3
Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later.
4 The reward of a gentle spirit and the fear of the Lord is wealth and honour and life.
4
Obey the Lord, be humble, and you will get riches, honor, and a long life.
5 Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.
5
If you love your life, stay away from the traps that catch the wicked along the way.
6 If a child is trained up in the right way, even when he is old he will not be turned away from it.
6
Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.
7 The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.
7
Poor people are slaves of the rich. Borrow money and you are the lender's slave.
8 By planting the seed of evil a man will get in the grain of sorrow, and the rod of his wrath will be broken.
8
If you plant the seeds of injustice, disaster will spring up, and your oppression of others will end.
9 He who is kind will have a blessing, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
9
Be generous and share your food with the poor. You will be blessed for it.
10 Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end.
10
Get rid of a conceited person, and then there will be no more arguments, quarreling, or name-calling.
11 He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
11
If you love purity of heart and graciousness of speech, the king will be your friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.
12
The Lord sees to it that truth is kept safe by disproving the words of liars.
13 The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets.
13
Lazy people stay at home; they say a lion might get them if they go outside.
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.
14
Adultery is a trap - it catches those with whom the Lord is angry.
15 Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.
15
Children just naturally do silly, careless things, but a good spanking will teach them how to behave.
16 He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
16
If you make gifts to rich people or oppress the poor to get rich, you will become poor yourself.
17 Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
17
Listen, and I will teach you what the wise have said. Study their teachings,
18 For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
18
and you will be glad if you remember them and can quote them.
19 So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
19
I want you to put your trust in the Lord; that is why I am going to tell them to you now.
20 Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
20
I have written down thirty sayings for you. They contain knowledge and good advice,
21 To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
21
and will teach you what the truth really is. Then when you are sent to find it out, you will bring back the right answer.
22 Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:
22
Don't take advantage of the poor just because you can; don't take advantage of those who stand helpless in court.
23 For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.
23
The Lord will argue their case for them and threaten the life of anyone who threatens theirs.
24 Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:
24
Don't make friends with people who have hot, violent tempers.
25 For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
25
You might learn their habits and not be able to change.
26 Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
26
Don't promise to be responsible for someone else's debts.
27 If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.
27
If you should be unable to pay, they will take away even your bed.
28 Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.
28
Never move an old property line that your ancestors established.
29 Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.
29
Show me someone who does a good job, and I will show you someone who is better than most and worthy of the company of kings.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.