English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be 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 increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
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When good people run things, everyone is glad, but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans.
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
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If you love wisdom, you'll delight your parents, but you'll destroy their trust if you run with whores.
4 By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
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A leader of good judgment gives stability; an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
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A flattering neighbor is up to no good; he's probably planning to take advantage of you.
6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
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Evil people fall into their own traps; good people run the other way, glad to escape.
7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
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The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor; the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
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A gang of cynics can upset a whole city; a group of sages can calm everyone down.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
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A sage trying to work things out with a fool gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.
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Murderers hate honest people; moral folks encourage them.
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
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A fool lets it all hang out; a sage quietly mulls it over.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
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When a leader listens to malicious gossip, all the workers get infected with evil.
13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
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The poor and their abusers have at least something in common: they can both see - their sight, God's gift!
14 If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.
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Leadership gains authority and respect when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
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Wise discipline imparts wisdom; spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
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When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild, but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
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Discipline your children; you'll be glad you did - they'll turn out delightful to live with.
18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
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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 By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.
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It takes more than talk to keep workers in line; mere words go in one ear and out the other.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
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Observe the people who always talk before they think - even simpletons are better off than they are.
21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood will in the end find him his heir.
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If you let people treat you like a doormat, you'll be quite forgotten in the end.
22 A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.
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Angry people stir up a lot of discord; the intemperate stir up trouble.
23 One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
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Pride lands you flat on your face; humility prepares you for honors.
24 The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
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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 The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
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The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.
26 Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice.
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Everyone tries to get help from the leader, but only God will give us justice.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
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Good people can't stand the sight of deliberate evil; the wicked can't stand the sight of well-chosen goodness.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
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.