NET Bible | International Standard Version |
1A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold. | 1A good reputation is more desirable than great wealth, and favorable acceptance more than silver and gold. |
2The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the creator of them both. | 2The rich and the poor have this in common— the LORD created both of them. |
3A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it. | 3The prudent person sees trouble ahead and hides, but the naive continue on and suffer the consequences. |
4The reward for humility and fearing the LORD is riches and honor and life. | 4The reward of humility is the fear of the LORD, along with wealth, honor, and life. |
5Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse, but the one who guards himself keeps far from them. | 5Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse person, but whoever is cautious stays far away from them. |
6Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. | 6Train a child in the way appropriate for him, and when he becomes older, he will not turn from it. |
7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. | 7The wealthy rule over the poor, and anyone who borrows is a slave to the lender. |
8The one who sows iniquity will reap trouble, and the rod of his fury will end. | 8Whoever sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the anger he uses for a weapon will be destroyed. |
9A generous person will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. | 9Whoever is generous will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. |
10Drive out the scorner and contention will leave; strife and insults will cease. | 10Throw out the mocker and strife departs, too; furthermore, quarrels and discord will end. |
11The one who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious--the king will be his friend. | 11Whoever loves purity and gracious speech will gain the king as his friend. |
12The eyes of the LORD guard knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the faithless person. | 12The LORD watches over anyone with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the unfaithful. |
13The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the middle of the streets!" | 13The lazy person says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the street!" |
14The mouth of an adulteress is like a deep pit; the one against whom the LORD is angry will fall into it. | 14The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; a man experiencing the LORD's wrath will fall into it. |
15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. | 15A child's heart has a tendency to do wrong, but the rod of discipline removes it far away from him. |
16The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain and the one who gives to the rich--both end up only in poverty. | 16Whoever oppresses the poor to enrich himself and whoever gives gifts to the wealthy will yield only loss. |
17Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my instruction. | 17Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my teaching, |
18For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you, and they are ready on your lips. | 18for it is pleasant when you treasure them within you and have them ready on your lips. |
19So that your confidence may be in the LORD, I am making them known to you today--even you. | 19As a result, your trust will be in the LORD, that's why I'm teaching you today, even you. |
20Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, | 20Have I not written for you 30 sayings containing counsel and knowledge, |
21to show you true and reliable words, so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you? | 21to teach you true and reliable advice, so you can give truthful answers to those who sent you? |
22Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court, | 22Don't rob the poor person because he is poor, and don't crush the helpless in court, |
23for the LORD will plead their case and will rob those who are robbing them. | 23for the LORD will plead their case and ruin the lives of those who ruin them. |
24Do not make friends with an angry person, and do not associate with a wrathful person, | 24Don't make friends with a hot-tempered man, and do not associate with someone who is easily angered, |
25lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. | 25or you may learn his ways and find yourself caught in a trap. |
26Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge or who puts up security for debts. | 26Don't be one of those who make promises to guarantee loans for debts. |
27If you do not have enough to pay, your bed will be taken right out from under you! | 27If you don't have the ability to pay, why should your very bed be taken from under you? |
28Do not move an ancient boundary stone which was put in place by your ancestors. | 28Don't remove an ancient boundary stone that was set up by your ancestors. |
29Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will take his position before kings; he will not take his position before obscure people. | 29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will work for kings, not unimportant people. |
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