Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; Loving favor rather 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 is the maker of them all.
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The rich and the poor shake hands as equals - God made them both!
3 A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
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A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.
4 The result 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 snares are in the path of the wicked: Whoever guards his soul stays from them.
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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 up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not 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 rich rules over the poor. The borrower is servant to the 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 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, And the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
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Whoever sows sin reaps weeds, and bullying anger sputters into nothing.
9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed; For he shares his food with the poor.
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Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor.
10 Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; Yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
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Kick out the troublemakers and things will quiet down; you need a break from bickering and griping!
11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully Is the king's friend.
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God loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken; good leaders also delight in their friendship.
12 The eyes of the LORD watch over knowledge; But he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
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God guards knowledge with a passion, but he'll have nothing to do with deception.
13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!"
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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 an adulteress is a deep pit: He who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into 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 the heart of a child: The rod of discipline drives it far from him.
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Young people are prone to foolishness and fads; the cure comes through tough-minded discipline.
16 Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, Both come 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 listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
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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 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, If all of them are ready on your lips.
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you'll give it bold expression in your speech.
19 That your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even 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 to you thirty excellent things Of counsel and knowledge,
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I'm giving you thirty sterling principles - tested guidelines to live by.
21 To teach you truth, reliable words, To give sound answers to the ones 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 exploit the poor, because he is poor; And don't crush the needy in court;
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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 For the LORD will plead their case, And plunder the life of those who plunder 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 a hot-tempered man, And don't associate with one who harbors anger:
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Don't hang out with angry people; don't keep company with hotheads.
25 Lest you learn his ways, And ensnare your soul.
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Bad temper is contagious - don't get infected.
26 Don't you be one of those who strike hands, Of those who are collateral for debts.
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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 don't have means to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under 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 move the ancient boundary stone, Which your fathers have set up.
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Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines staked out long ago by your ancestors.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings; He won't serve obscure men.
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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.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
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.