Common English Bible CEB
The Message Bible MSG
1 One who stays stubborn after many corrections will be suddenly broken, beyond healing.
1
For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn, There'll come a day when life tumbles in and they break, but by then it'll be too late to help them.
2 When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice, but when the wicked dominate, the people moan.
2
When good people run things, everyone is glad, but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans.
3 A man who loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, but one who spends time with prostitutes destroys riches.
3
If you love wisdom, you'll delight your parents, but you'll destroy their trust if you run with whores.
4 A king gives stability to the land by justice, but one who imposes heavy taxes tears it down.
4
A leader of good judgment gives stability; an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.
5 People who flatter their friends spread out a net for their feet.
5
A flattering neighbor is up to no good; he's probably planning to take advantage of you.
6 The wicked are snared by their own sin; the righteous sing and rejoice.
6
Evil people fall into their own traps; good people run the other way, glad to escape.
7 The righteous know the rights of the poor, but the wicked don't understand.
7
The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor; the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea.
8 Mockers set a city on fire, but the wise turn back anger.
8
A gang of cynics can upset a whole city; a group of sages can calm everyone down.
9 When the wise make a legal charge against the foolish, the fools shout, they laugh—there is no calm.
9
A sage trying to work things out with a fool gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble.
10 Murderous people hate the innocent, and they seek the lives of the virtuous.
10
Murderers hate honest people; moral folks encourage them.
11 Fools show all their anger, but the wise hold it back.
11
A fool lets it all hang out; a sage quietly mulls it over.
12 If a ruler listens to lies, those who serve him will be wicked.
12
When a leader listens to malicious gossip, all the workers get infected with evil.
13 The poor and their oppressors have a common bond— the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
13
The poor and their abusers have at least something in common: they can both see - their sight, God's gift!
14 If a king judges the poor honestly, his throne will be established forever.
14
Leadership gains authority and respect when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.
15 The rod and correction lead to wisdom, but children out of control shame their mothers.
15
Wise discipline imparts wisdom; spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.
16 When the wicked become numerous, so do crimes; the righteous will see their downfall.
16
When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild, but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.
17 Instruct your children; they will give you peace of mind and bring delight into your life.
17
Discipline your children; you'll be glad you did - they'll turn out delightful to live with.
18 When there's no vision, the people get out of control, but whoever obeys instruction is happy.
18
If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.
19 Servants aren't disciplined by words; they might understand, but they don't respond.
19
It takes more than talk to keep workers in line; mere words go in one ear and out the other.
20 Do you see people who are quick to speak? There is more hope for fools than for them.
20
Observe the people who always talk before they think - even simpletons are better off than they are.
21 Pamper servants from a young age, and later on there will be trouble.
21
If you let people treat you like a doormat, you'll be quite forgotten in the end.
22 Angry people stir up conflict; hotheads cause much offense.
22
Angry people stir up a lot of discord; the intemperate stir up trouble.
23 Pride lays people low, but those of humble spirit gain honor.
23
Pride lands you flat on your face; humility prepares you for honors.
24 Those who share plunder with thieves hate themselves; even under oath, they don't testify.
24
Befriend an outlaw and become an enemy to yourself. When the victims cry out, you'll be included in their curses if you're a coward to their cause in court.
25 People are trapped by their fear of others; those who trust the LORD are secure.
25
The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.
26 Many seek access to the ruler, but justice comes from the LORD.
26
Everyone tries to get help from the leader, but only God will give us justice.
27 The unjust person is disgusting to the righteous; the straight path is disgusting to the wicked.
27
Good people can't stand the sight of deliberate evil; the wicked can't stand the sight of well-chosen goodness.