The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 He who remains stiffnecked after much rebuke will be suddenly and incurably broken.
1
A man hating sharp words and making his heart hard, will suddenly be broken and will not be made well again.
2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice; but when the wicked are in power, the people groan.
2
When the upright have power, the people are glad; when an evil man is ruler, grief comes on the people.
3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a patron of prostitutes wastes his wealth.
3
A man who is a lover of wisdom is a joy to his father: but he who goes in the company of loose women is a waster of wealth.
4 A king gives stability to a country by justice, but one who overtaxes it brings it to ruin.
4
A king, by right rule, makes the land safe; but one full of desires makes it a waste.
5 A person who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his own steps.
5
A man who says smooth things to his neighbour is stretching out a net for his steps.
6 In an evil person's crime is a trap, but the righteous sing and rejoice.
6
In the steps of an evil man there is a net for him, but the upright man gets away quickly and is glad.
7 The righteous understands the cause of the poor, but the wicked is unconcerned.
7
The upright man gives attention to the cause of the poor: the evil-doer gives no thought to it.
8 Scoffers can inflame a city, but the wise can calm the fury.
8
Men of pride are the cause of violent acts in a town, but by wise men wrath is turned away.
9 When a wise man argues with a foolish one, he meets anger and ridicule without relief.
9
If a wise man goes to law with a foolish man, he may be angry or laughing, but there will be no rest.
10 Men of blood hate those who are pure and seek the life of the upright.
10
Men of blood are haters of the good man, and evil-doers go after his soul.
11 A fool gives vent to all his feelings, but the wise, thinking of afterwards, stills them.
11
A foolish man lets out all his wrath, but a wise man keeps it back quietly.
12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
12
If a ruler gives attention to false words, all his servants are evil-doers.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common: ADONAI gives light to the eyes of both.
13
The poor man and his creditor come face to face: the Lord gives light to their eyes equally.
14 If a king steadfastly gives justice to the poor, his throne will be secure forever.
14
The king who is a true judge in the cause of the poor, will be safe for ever on the seat of his power.
15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame on his mother.
15
The rod and sharp words give wisdom: but a child who is not guided is a cause of shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked flourish, wrongdoing flourishes; but the righteous will witness their downfall.
16
When evil men are in power, wrongdoing is increased; but the upright will have pleasure when they see their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will be your delight.
17
Give your son training, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul.
18 Without a prophetic vision, the people throw off all restraint; but he who keeps Torah is happy.
18
Where there is no vision, the people are uncontrolled; but he who keeps the law will be happy.
19 A slave can't be disciplined with words; he may understand, but he won't respond.
19
A servant will not be trained by words; for though the sense of the words is clear to him, he will not give attention.
20 Do you see someone too anxious to speak? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
20
Have you seen a man who is quick with his tongue? There is more hope for a foolish man than for him.
21 A slave who is pampered from youth will in the end be ungrateful.
21
If a servant is gently cared for from his early years, he will become a cause of sorrow in the end.
22 Angry people stir up strife; hot-tempered people commit many crimes.
22
An angry man is the cause of fighting, and a man given to wrath does much wrong.
23 The proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.
23
A man's pride will be the cause of his fall, but he who has a gentle spirit will get honour.
24 The accomplice of a thief hates himself; he hears himself put under oath but discloses nothing.
24
A man who takes part with a thief has hate for his soul; he is put under oath, but says nothing.
25 Fearing human beings is a snare; but he who trusts in ADONAI will be raised high [above danger].
25
The fear of man is a cause of danger: but whoever puts his faith in the Lord will have a safe place on high.
26 Many seek the ruler's favor, but it is from ADONAI that each gets justice.
26
The approval of a ruler is desired by great numbers: but the decision in a man's cause comes from the Lord.
27 An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous, but he who lives uprightly is an abomination to the wicked.
27
An evil man is disgusting to the upright, and he who is upright is disgusting to evil-doers.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.