New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 One who is often reproved, yet remains stubborn, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
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A man hating sharp words and making his heart hard, will suddenly be broken and will not be made well again.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
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When the upright have power, the people are glad; when an evil man is ruler, grief comes on the people.
3 A child who loves wisdom makes a parent glad, but to keep company with prostitutes is to squander one's substance.
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A man who is a lover of wisdom is a joy to his father: but he who goes in the company of loose women is a waster of wealth.
4 By justice a king gives stability to the land, but one who makes heavy exactions ruins it.
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A king, by right rule, makes the land safe; but one full of desires makes it a waste.
5 Whoever flatters a neighbor is spreading a net for the neighbor's feet.
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A man who says smooth things to his neighbour is stretching out a net for his steps.
6 In the transgression of the evil there is a snare, but the righteous sing and rejoice.
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In the steps of an evil man there is a net for him, but the upright man gets away quickly and is glad.
7 The righteous know the rights of the poor; the wicked have no such understanding.
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The upright man gives attention to the cause of the poor: the evil-doer gives no thought to it.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
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Men of pride are the cause of violent acts in a town, but by wise men wrath is turned away.
9 If the wise go to law with fools, there is ranting and ridicule without relief.
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If a wise man goes to law with a foolish man, he may be angry or laughing, but there will be no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, and they seek the life of the upright.
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Men of blood are haters of the good man, and evil-doers go after his soul.
11 A fool gives full vent to anger, but the wise quietly holds it back.
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A foolish man lets out all his wrath, but a wise man keeps it back quietly.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
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If a ruler gives attention to false words, all his servants are evil-doers.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common: the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
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The poor man and his creditor come face to face: the Lord gives light to their eyes equally.
14 If a king judges the poor with equity, his throne will be established forever.
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The king who is a true judge in the cause of the poor, will be safe for ever on the seat of his power.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by a neglected child.
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The rod and sharp words give wisdom: but a child who is not guided is a cause of shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
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When evil men are in power, wrongdoing is increased; but the upright will have pleasure when they see their downfall.
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you rest; they will give delight to your heart.
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Give your son training, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint, but happy are those who keep the law.
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Where there is no vision, the people are uncontrolled; but he who keeps the law will be happy.
19 By mere words servants are not disciplined, for though they understand, they will not give heed.
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A servant will not be trained by words; for though the sense of the words is clear to him, he will not give attention.
20 Do you see someone who is hasty in speech? There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that.
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Have you seen a man who is quick with his tongue? There is more hope for a foolish man than for him.
21 A slave pampered from childhood will come to a bad end.
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If a servant is gently cared for from his early years, he will become a cause of sorrow in the end.
22 One given to anger stirs up strife, and the hothead causes much transgression.
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An angry man is the cause of fighting, and a man given to wrath does much wrong.
23 A person's pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
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A man's pride will be the cause of his fall, but he who has a gentle spirit will get honour.
24 To be a partner of a thief is to hate one's own life; one hears the victim's curse, but discloses nothing.
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A man who takes part with a thief has hate for his soul; he is put under oath, but says nothing.
25 The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in the Lord is secure.
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The fear of man is a cause of danger: but whoever puts his faith in the Lord will have a safe place on high.
26 Many seek the favor of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.
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The approval of a ruler is desired by great numbers: but the decision in a man's cause comes from the Lord.
27 The unjust are an abomination to the righteous, but the upright are an abomination to the wicked.
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An evil man is disgusting to the upright, and he who is upright is disgusting to evil-doers.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.