New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
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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 thrive, the people rejoice; 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 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, 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 gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.
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A leader of good judgment gives stability; an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.
5 Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.
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A flattering neighbor is up to no good; he's probably planning to take advantage of you.
6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.
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Evil people fall into their own traps; good people run the other way, glad to escape.
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
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The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor; the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea.
8 Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.
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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 person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
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A sage trying to work things out with a fool gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble.
10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright.
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Murderers hate honest people; moral folks encourage them.
11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
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A fool lets it all hang out; a sage quietly mulls it over.
12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.
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When a leader listens to malicious gossip, all the workers get infected with evil.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight 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 judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.
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Leadership gains authority and respect when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.
15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.
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Wise discipline imparts wisdom; spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.
16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.
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When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild, but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.
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; you'll be glad you did - they'll turn out delightful to live with.
18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
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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 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words; though they understand, they 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 someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
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Observe the people who always talk before they think - even simpletons are better off than they are.
21 A servant pampered from youth will turn out to be insolent.
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If you let people treat you like a doormat, you'll be quite forgotten in the end.
22 An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
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Angry people stir up a lot of discord; the intemperate stir up trouble.
23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
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Pride lands you flat on your face; humility prepares you for honors.
24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies; they are put under oath and dare not testify.
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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 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
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The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.
26 Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the LORD that one gets justice.
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Everyone tries to get help from the leader, but only God will give us justice.
27 The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.
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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.
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.
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.