The Message Bible MSG
New Living Translation NLT
1 Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands.
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My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.
2 They'll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well.
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If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.
3 Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
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Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.
4 Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.
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Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
5 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.
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Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your 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.
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Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
7 Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!
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Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!
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Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
9 Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.
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Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.
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Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.
11 But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction.
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My child, don’t reject the LORD ’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
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 the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
13 You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight.
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Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.
14 She's worth far more than money in the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary.
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For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.
15 Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
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Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 With one hand she gives long life, with the other she confers recognition.
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She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.
17 Her manner is beautiful, her life wonderfully complete.
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She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.
18 She's the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her. Hold her tight - and be blessed!
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Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.
19 With Lady Wisdom, God formed Earth; with Madame Insight, he raised Heaven.
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By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he created 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
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By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
21 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them.
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My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them,
22 They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive.
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for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip.
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They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble.
24 You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
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You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
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You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 Because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound.
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for the LORD is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
27 Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person.
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Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
28 Don't tell your neighbor, "Maybe some other time," or, "Try me tomorrow," when the money's right there in your pocket.
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If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
29 Don't figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor when he's sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.
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Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you.
30 Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder, always spoiling for a fight.
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Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm.
31 Don't try to be like those who shoulder their way through life. Why be a bully?
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Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways.
32 "Why not?" you say. Because God can't stand twisted souls. It's the straightforward who get his respect.
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Such wicked people are detestable to the LORD, but he offers his friendship to the godly.
33 God's curse blights the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
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The LORD curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.
34 He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder, but if you're down on your luck, he's right there to help.
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The LORD mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.
35 Wise living gets rewarded with honor; stupid living gets the booby prize.
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The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!
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.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.