New Revised Standard NRS
Common English Bible CEB
1 One who is often reproved, yet remains stubborn, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
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One who stays stubborn after many corrections will be suddenly broken, beyond healing.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
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When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice, but when the wicked dominate, the people moan.
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 loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, but one who spends time with prostitutes destroys riches.
4 By justice a king gives stability to the land, but one who makes heavy exactions ruins it.
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A king gives stability to the land by justice, but one who imposes heavy taxes tears it down.
5 Whoever flatters a neighbor is spreading a net for the neighbor's feet.
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People who flatter their friends spread out a net for their feet.
6 In the transgression of the evil there is a snare, but the righteous sing and rejoice.
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The wicked are snared by their own sin; the righteous sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous know the rights of the poor; the wicked have no such understanding.
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The righteous know the rights of the poor, but the wicked don't understand.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
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Mockers set a city on fire, but the wise turn back anger.
9 If the wise go to law with fools, there is ranting and ridicule without relief.
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When the wise make a legal charge against the foolish, the fools shout, they laugh—there is no calm.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, and they seek the life of the upright.
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Murderous people hate the innocent, and they seek the lives of the virtuous.
11 A fool gives full vent to anger, but the wise quietly holds it back.
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Fools show all their anger, but the wise hold it back.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
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If a ruler listens to lies, those who serve him will be wicked.
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 and their oppressors have a common bond— the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor with equity, his throne will be established forever.
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If a king judges the poor honestly, his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by a neglected child.
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The rod and correction lead to wisdom, but children out of control shame their mothers.
16 When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
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When the wicked become numerous, so do crimes; the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you rest; they will give delight to your heart.
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Instruct your children; they will give you peace of mind and bring delight into your life.
18 Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint, but happy are those who keep the law.
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When there's no vision, the people get out of control, but whoever obeys instruction is happy.
19 By mere words servants are not disciplined, for though they understand, they will not give heed.
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Servants aren't disciplined by words; they might understand, but they don't respond.
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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Do you see people who are quick to speak? There is more hope for fools than for them.
21 A slave pampered from childhood will come to a bad end.
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Pamper servants from a young age, and later on there will be trouble.
22 One given to anger stirs up strife, and the hothead causes much transgression.
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Angry people stir up conflict; hotheads cause much offense.
23 A person's pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
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Pride lays people low, but those of humble spirit gain honor.
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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Those who share plunder with thieves hate themselves; even under oath, they don't testify.
25 The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in the Lord is secure.
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People are trapped by their fear of others; those who trust the LORD are secure.
26 Many seek the favor of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.
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Many seek access to the ruler, but justice 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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The unjust person is disgusting to the righteous; the straight path is disgusting to the wicked.
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.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible