Contemporary English Version Raising Children 1Parents show love for their children by spanking them whenever they do wrong. Later those parents will be glad to see their children grow into fine adults. 2If parents correct a child, they will someday boast about how much help that child has been to them. 3Parents who give their children an education make their enemies jealous and can boast to friends. * 4These parents have no regrets when they die, and they live on in their children, 5who brought them such joy. 6Then it is up to the children to take revenge on their parents' enemies, and to be kind to their parents' friends. 7If you spoil your children, you will have to put bandages on the wounds they will get, and you will shake with fear every time you hear shouting. 8That's why you must correct them, so they will not be as stubborn as unbroken horses. * 9If you give children everything they desire and laugh when they sin, 10they will end up giving you sadness, terror, and pain. 11Don't let them do just anything they want, but correct their mistakes. 12Break their stubbornness by whipping them while they are young, or else they will disobey you and bring you deep sorrow. 13Take care to discipline them, so they will not disgrace you when they are older. Health Is Better than Wealth 14I would rather be poor, yet healthy and strong, than to be rich and sickly. 15To have your health and a good attitude is better than gold and infinite riches. 16No amount of money can compare with health or bring happiness deep inside your heart. 17Death is better than a life of constant pain and sickness. 18If a fine dinner is served, but the guests are too sick to eat, the dinner will go to waste, like food placed on a grave 19or like a sacrifice to an idol, which cannot eat or smell. If the Lord punishes people by making them sick, 20they can only stare at food and groan like a young man unable to have sex who holds a virgin in his arms. Enjoy Life and Forget Sorrow 21 Don't stay sad for too long or look for reasons to be upset. 22Joy and happiness will help you to live longer. 23So enjoy life and forget sorrow, because sorrow never helps, and it has destroyed many. 24Jealousy and anger will cut your life short, and worrying makes you old before your time. 25If you are cheerful at meals, the food you eat will do you more good. Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®) © 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Bible text from the Contemporary English Version 2nd Edition (CEV®) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (www.americanbible.org). Learn more at www.cev.bible. Discover .BIBLE resources for your ministry at www.get.bible/cev. |