Common English Bible CEB
The Message Bible MSG
1 My son, don't forget my instruction. Let your heart guard my commands,
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Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands.
2 because they will help you live a long time and provide you with well-being.
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They'll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well.
3 Don't let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Bind them on your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
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Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
4 Then you will find favor and approval in the eyes of God and humanity.
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Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; don't rely on your own intelligence.
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Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.
6 Know him in all your paths, and he will keep your ways straight.
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Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.
7 Don't consider yourself wise. Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
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Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!
8 Then your body will be healthy and your bones strengthened.
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Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first of all your crops.
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Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.
10 Then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will burst with wine.
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Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.
11 Don't reject the instruction of the LORD, my son; don't despise his correction.
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But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction.
12 The LORD loves those he corrects, just like a father who treats his son with favor.
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It's the child he loves that God corrects; a father's delight is behind all this. The Very Tree of Life
13 Happy are those who find wisdom and those who gain understanding.
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You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight.
14 Her profit is better than silver, and her gain better than gold.
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She's worth far more than money in the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary.
15 Her value exceeds pearls; all you desire can't compare with her.
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Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
16 In her right hand is a long life; in her left are wealth and honor.
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With one hand she gives long life, with the other she confers recognition.
17 Her ways are pleasant; all her paths are peaceful.
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Her manner is beautiful, her life wonderfully complete.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who hold her tight are happy.
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She's the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her. Hold her tight - and be blessed!
19 The LORD laid the foundations of the earth with wisdom, establishing the heavens with understanding.
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With Lady Wisdom, God formed Earth; with Madame Insight, he raised Heaven.
20 With his knowledge, the watery depths burst open, and the skies drop dew.
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They knew when to signal rivers and springs to the surface, and dew to descend from the night skies. Never Walk Away
21 My son, don't let them slip from your eyes; hold on to sound judgment and discretion.
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Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them.
22 They will be life for your whole being, and an ornament for your neck.
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They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive.
23 Then you will walk safely on your path, and your foot won't stumble.
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You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip.
24 If you lie down, you won't be terrified. When you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.
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You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
25 Don't fear sudden terror or the ruin that comes to the wicked.
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No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
26 The LORD will be your confidence; he will guard your feet from being snared.
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Because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound.
27 Don't withhold good from someone who deserves it, when it is in your power to do so.
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Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person.
28 Don't say to your neighbor, "Go and come back; I'll give it to you tomorrow," when you have it.
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Don't tell your neighbor, "Maybe some other time," or, "Try me tomorrow," when the money's right there in your pocket.
29 Don't plan to harm your neighbor who trusts and lives near you.
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Don't figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor when he's sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.
30 Don't accuse anyone without reason, when they haven't harmed you.
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Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder, always spoiling for a fight.
31 Don't envy violent people or choose any of their ways.
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Don't try to be like those who shoulder their way through life. Why be a bully?
32 Devious people are detestable to the LORD, but the virtuous are his close friends.
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"Why not?" you say. Because God can't stand twisted souls. It's the straightforward who get his respect.
33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
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God's curse blights the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks mockers, but he shows favor to the humble.
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He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder, but if you're down on your luck, he's right there to help.
35 The wise gain respect, but fools receive shame.
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Wise living gets rewarded with honor; stupid living gets the booby prize.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
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.