The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
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.
1
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When good people run things, everyone is glad, but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans.
2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
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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Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4 A leader of good judgment gives stability; an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.
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The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5 A flattering neighbor is up to no good; he's probably planning to take advantage of you.
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A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth 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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In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor; the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea.
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The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8 A gang of cynics can upset a whole city; a group of sages can calm everyone down.
8
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men 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 contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10 Murderers hate honest people; moral folks encourage them.
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The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11 A fool lets it all hang out; a sage quietly mulls it over.
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A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12 When a leader listens to malicious gossip, all the workers get infected with evil.
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If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are 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 and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
14 Leadership gains authority and respect when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.
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The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 Wise discipline imparts wisdom; spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.
15
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16 When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild, but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.
16
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Discipline your children; you'll be glad you did - they'll turn out delightful to live with.
17
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
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 vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19 It takes more than talk to keep workers in line; mere words go in one ear and out the other.
19
A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20 Observe the people who always talk before they think - even simpletons are better off than they are.
20
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21 If you let people treat you like a doormat, you'll be quite forgotten in the end.
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He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22 Angry people stir up a lot of discord; the intemperate stir up trouble.
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An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23 Pride lands you flat on your face; humility prepares you for honors.
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A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
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.
24
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25 The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.
25
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
26 Everyone tries to get help from the leader, but only God will give us justice.
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Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
27 Good people can't stand the sight of deliberate evil; the wicked can't stand the sight of well-chosen goodness.
27
An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is 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 King James Version is in the public domain.