Revised Standard Version RSV
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
1
A person who will not bend after many warnings will suddenly be broken beyond repair.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
2
When righteous people increase, the people [of God] rejoice, but when a wicked person rules, everybody groans.
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but one who keeps company with harlots squanders his substance.
3
A person who loves wisdom makes his father happy, but one who pays prostitutes wastes his wealth.
4 By justice a king gives stability to the land, but one who exacts gifts ruins it.
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By means of justice, a king builds up a country, but a person who confiscates religious contributions tears it down.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
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A person who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for him to step into.
6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
6
To an evil person sin is bait in a trap, but a righteous person runs away from it and is glad.
7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
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A righteous person knows the just cause of the poor. A wicked person does not understand this.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, but wise men turn away wrath.
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Mockers create an uproar in a city, but wise people turn away anger.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
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When a wise person goes to court with a stubborn fool, he may rant and rave, but there is no peace and quiet.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless, and the wicked seek his life.
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Bloodthirsty people hate an innocent person, but decent people seek [to protect] his life.
11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
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A fool expresses all his emotions, but a wise person controls them.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
12
If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his servants become wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
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A poor person and an oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives both of them sight.
14 If a king judges the poor with equity his throne will be established for ever.
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When a king judges the poor with honesty, his throne will always be secure.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
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A spanking and a warning produce wisdom, but an undisciplined child disgraces his mother.
16 When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases; but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
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When wicked people increase, crime increases, but righteous people will witness their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
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Correct your son, and he will give you peace of mind. He will bring delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no prophecy the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
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Without prophetic vision people run wild, but blessed are those who follow [God's] teachings.
19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not give heed.
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A slave cannot be disciplined with words. He will not respond, though he may understand.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
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Have you met a person who is quick to answer? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He who pampers his servant from childhood, will in the end find him his heir.
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Pamper a slave from childhood, and later he will be ungrateful.
22 A man of wrath stirs up strife, and a man given to anger causes much transgression.
22
An angry person stirs up a fight, and a hothead does much wrong.
23 A man's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
23
A person's pride will humiliate him, but a humble spirit gains honor.
24 The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
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Whoever is a thief's partner hates his own life. He will not testify under oath.
25 The fear of man lays a snare, but he who trusts in the LORD is safe.
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A person's fear sets a trap [for him], but one who trusts the LORD is safe.
26 Many seek the favor of a ruler, but from the LORD a man gets justice.
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Many seek an audience with a ruler, but justice for humanity comes from the LORD.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but he whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
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An unjust person is disgusting to righteous people. A decent person is disgusting to wicked people.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.