Contemporary English Version * 1If you are placed in charge of a dinner party, don't try to act important. Just make sure all the guests have what they need 2before you are seated. Then enjoy the dinner with everyone else, and they will honor you for a job well done. 3If you are an older guest, it is right for you to talk. But be sure what you say is true, and don't talk during the music 4or other entertainment. That is not the right time for clever remarks. * 5Good wine and good music at a banquet 6are like rubies and emeralds in settings of gold. 7If you are a younger guest, don't talk unless someone asks you a question. Don't speak more than twice, 8and say as much as you can in as few words as possible. This will show your knowledge and also your self-control. 9Treat important people with proper respect, and don't chatter on and on if someone older is talking. 10Lightning goes ahead of thunder, and if you are humble, you will be liked and accepted before you even arrive. 11Then later, at the proper time, just say goodbye and go home. Don't wait around to be the last to leave. 12At home, you can have fun doing whatever you want-- but be careful not to sin by speaking with arrogance. 13And give thanks to your Creator, who lets you enjoy all the good things he made. Obey the Lord 14If you obey the Lord, expect him to correct you, but do your best, and you will be accepted. 15Sincerely studying God's Law will bring contentment, but if you are not sincere that Law will condemn you. 16If you obey the Lord, you will be well known for justice and fairness. 17But sinners refuse to be corrected, and they twist the Law so they can do whatever they please. 18A wise person can take a hint, but even fear of great danger won't stop an arrogant fool. 19Give plenty of thought to what you will do, and afterwards, don't worry about how well you did. 20Don't look for trouble, but learn from your mistakes. 21It's easy to be careless on a smooth road, 22so always pay attention to the path ahead. 23Think your actions through, and you will be able to obey the Lord's commands. 24If you believe in God's Law, then do what it says. Trust the Lord, and you will have success. 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. |