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