Good News Translation GNT
World English Bible WEB
1 If you have to choose between a good reputation and great wealth, choose a good reputation.
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A good name is more desirable than great riches; Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.
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The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.
3 Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later.
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A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 Obey the Lord, be humble, and you will get riches, honor, and a long life.
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The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh Is wealth, honor, and life.
5 If you love your life, stay away from the traps that catch the wicked along the way.
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Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: Whoever guards his soul stays from them.
6 Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.
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Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 Poor people are slaves of the rich. Borrow money and you are the lender's slave.
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The rich rules over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8 If you plant the seeds of injustice, disaster will spring up, and your oppression of others will end.
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He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, And the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 Be generous and share your food with the poor. You will be blessed for it.
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He who has a generous eye will be blessed; For he shares his food with the poor.
10 Get rid of a conceited person, and then there will be no more arguments, quarreling, or name-calling.
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Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; Yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 If you love purity of heart and graciousness of speech, the king will be your friend.
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He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully Is the king's friend.
12 The Lord sees to it that truth is kept safe by disproving the words of liars.
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The eyes of Yahweh watch over knowledge; But he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 Lazy people stay at home; they say a lion might get them if they go outside.
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The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!"
14 Adultery is a trap - it catches those with whom the Lord is angry.
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The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit: He who is under Yahweh's wrath will fall into it.
15 Children just naturally do silly, careless things, but a good spanking will teach them how to behave.
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Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: The rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 If you make gifts to rich people or oppress the poor to get rich, you will become poor yourself.
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Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, Both come to poverty.
17 Listen, and I will teach you what the wise have said. Study their teachings,
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Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
18 and you will be glad if you remember them and can quote them.
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For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, If all of them are ready on your lips.
19 I want you to put your trust in the Lord; that is why I am going to tell them to you now.
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That your trust may be in Yahweh, I teach you today, even you.
20 I have written down thirty sayings for you. They contain knowledge and good advice,
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Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things Of counsel and knowledge,
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.
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To teach you truth, reliable words, To give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22 Don't take advantage of the poor just because you can; don't take advantage of those who stand helpless in court.
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Don't exploit the poor, because he is poor; And don't crush the needy in court;
23 The Lord will argue their case for them and threaten the life of anyone who threatens theirs.
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For Yahweh will plead their case, And plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24 Don't make friends with people who have hot, violent tempers.
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Don't befriend a hot-tempered man, And don't associate with one who harbors anger:
25 You might learn their habits and not be able to change.
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Lest you learn his ways, And ensnare your soul.
26 Don't promise to be responsible for someone else's debts.
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Don't you be one of those who strike hands, Of those who are collateral for debts.
27 If you should be unable to pay, they will take away even your bed.
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If you don't have means to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Never move an old property line that your ancestors established.
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Don't move the ancient boundary stone, Which your fathers have set up.
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.
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Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings; He won't serve obscure men.