Common English Bible CEB
The Message Bible MSG
1 A good reputation is better than much wealth; high esteem is better than silver and gold.
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A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD made them both.
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The rich and the poor shake hands as equals - God made them both!
3 Prudent people see trouble and hide, while the simpleminded go right to it and get punished.
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A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.
4 The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life.
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The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.
5 Thorns and nets are in the path of the crooked; those who guard their lives keep their distance.
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The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick; if you know what's good for you, stay clear of it.
6 Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won't depart from it.
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Point your kids in the right direction - when they're old they won't be lost.
7 The wealthy rule over the poor; a borrower is a slave to a lender.
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The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don't borrow and put yourself under their power.
8 Those who sow injustice will harvest evil; the rod of their fury will come to an end.
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Whoever sows sin reaps weeds, and bullying anger sputters into nothing.
9 Happy are generous people, because they give some of their food to the poor.
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Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor.
10 Remove the mocker and conflict disappears; judgment and shame also stop.
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Kick out the troublemakers and things will quiet down; you need a break from bickering and griping!
11 Those who love a pure heart— their speech is gracious, and the king is their friend.
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God loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken; good leaders also delight in their friendship.
12 The LORD's eyes protect knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the treacherous.
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God guards knowledge with a passion, but he'll have nothing to do with deception.
13 A lazy person says, "There's a lion in the street! I'll be killed in the town square!"
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The loafer says, "There's a lion on the loose! If I go out I'll be eaten alive!"
14 The mouth of a mysterious woman is a deep pit; those under the LORD's wrath will fall in it.
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The mouth of a whore is a bottomless pit; you'll fall in that pit if you're on the outs with God.
15 Folly is bound up in a child's heart; the rod of discipline removes it.
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Young people are prone to foolishness and fads; the cure comes through tough-minded discipline.
16 Oppressing the poor to get rich and giving to the wealthy lead only to poverty.
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Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich - whichever, you'll end up the poorer for it. The Thirty Precepts of the Sages Don't Move Back the Boundary Lines
17 Turn your ear and hear the words of the wise; focus your mind on my knowledge.
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Listen carefully to my wisdom; take to heart what I can teach you. You'll treasure its sweetness deep within;
18 It will be pleasant if you keep the words in you, if you have them ready on your lips.
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you'll give it bold expression in your speech.
19 So that your trust will be in the LORD, I'm teaching you today—yes, you.
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To make sure your foundation is trust in God, I'm laying it all out right now just for you.
20 Haven't I written for you thirty sayings full of advice and knowledge?
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I'm giving you thirty sterling principles - tested guidelines to live by.
21 Their purpose is to teach you true, reliable words, so you can report back reliably to those who sent you.
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Believe me - these are truths that work, and will keep you accountable to those who sent you.
22 Don't steal from the poor, because they are poor. Don't oppress the needy in the gate.
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Don't walk on the poor just because they're poor, and don't use your position to crush the weak,
23 The LORD will take up their case and press the life out of those who oppress them.
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Because God will come to their defense; the life you took, he'll take from you and give back to them.
24 Don't befriend people controlled by anger; don't associate with hot-tempered people;
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Don't hang out with angry people; don't keep company with hotheads.
25 otherwise, you will learn their ways and become trapped.
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Bad temper is contagious - don't get infected.
26 Don't shake hands to guarantee a loan.
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Don't gamble on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, hocking your house against a lucky chance.
27 If you can't repay, why should they be able to take your bed from you?
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The time will come when you have to pay up; you'll be left with nothing but the shirt on your back.
28 Don't remove an ancient boundary marker that your ancestors established.
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Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines staked out long ago by your ancestors.
29 Do you see people who work skillfully? They will work for kings but not work for lowly people.
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Observe people who are good at their work - skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take a back seat to anyone.