The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands.
1
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 They'll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well.
2
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3 Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
3
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.
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So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.
5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.
6
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!
7
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!
8
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9 Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.
9
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.
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So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11 But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction.
11
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12 It's the child he loves that God corrects; a father's delight is behind all this. The Very Tree of Life
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For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13 You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight.
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Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 She's worth far more than money in the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary.
14
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
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She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 With one hand she gives long life, with the other she confers recognition.
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Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Her manner is beautiful, her life wonderfully complete.
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Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She's the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her. Hold her tight - and be blessed!
18
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
19 With Lady Wisdom, God formed Earth; with Madame Insight, he raised Heaven.
19
The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20 They knew when to signal rivers and springs to the surface, and dew to descend from the night skies. Never Walk Away
20
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them.
21
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive.
22
So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23 You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip.
23
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24 You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
24
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
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Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26 Because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound.
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For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
27 Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person.
27
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28 Don't tell your neighbor, "Maybe some other time," or, "Try me tomorrow," when the money's right there in your pocket.
28
Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29 Don't figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor when he's sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.
29
Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder, always spoiling for a fight.
30
Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31 Don't try to be like those who shoulder their way through life. Why be a bully?
31
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32 "Why not?" you say. Because God can't stand twisted souls. It's the straightforward who get his respect.
32
For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
33 God's curse blights the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
33
The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34 He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder, but if you're down on your luck, he's right there to help.
34
Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35 Wise living gets rewarded with honor; stupid living gets the booby prize.
35
The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
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.
The King James Version is in the public domain.