New International Version NIV
Good News Translation GNT
1 Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
1
If you get more stubborn every time you are corrected, one day you will be crushed and never recover.
2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.
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Show me a righteous ruler and I will show you a happy people. Show me a wicked ruler and I will show you a miserable people.
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
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If you appreciate wisdom, your parents will be proud of you. It is a foolish waste to spend money on prostitutes.
4 By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.
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When the king is concerned with justice, the nation will be strong, but when he is only concerned with money, he will ruin his country.
5 Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.
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If you flatter your friends, you set a trap for yourself.
6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.
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Evil people are trapped in their own sins, while honest people are happy and free.
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
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A good person knows the rights of the poor, but wicked people cannot understand such things.
8 Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.
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People with no regard for others can throw whole cities into turmoil. Those who are wise keep things calm.
9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
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When an intelligent person brings a lawsuit against a fool, the fool only laughs and becomes loud and abusive.
10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright.
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Bloodthirsty people hate anyone who's honest, but righteous people will protect the life of such a person.
11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
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Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back.
12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.
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If a ruler pays attention to false information, all his officials will be liars.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
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A poor person and his oppressor have this in common - the Lord gave eyes to both of them.
14 If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.
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If a king defends the rights of the poor, he will rule for a long time.
15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.
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Correction and discipline are good for children. If they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them.
16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.
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When evil people are in power, crime increases. But the righteous will live to see the downfall of such people.
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.
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Discipline your children and you can always be proud of them. They will never give you reason to be ashamed.
18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
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A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law!
19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words; though they understand, they will not respond.
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You cannot correct servants just by talking to them. They may understand you, but they will pay no attention.
20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
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There is more hope for a stupid fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
21 A servant pampered from youth will turn out to be insolent.
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If you give your servants everything they want from childhood on, some day they will take over everything you own.
22 An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
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People with quick tempers cause a lot of quarreling and trouble.
23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
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Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.
24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies; they are put under oath and dare not testify.
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A thief's partner is his own worst enemy. He will be punished if he tells the truth in court, and God will curse him if he doesn't.
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
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It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.
26 Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the LORD that one gets justice.
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Everybody wants the good will of the ruler, but only from the Lord can you get justice.
27 The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.
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The righteous hate the wicked, and the wicked hate the righteous.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.