New Living Translation | NET Bible |
1Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. | 1The one who stiffens his neck after numerous rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy. |
2When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. | 2When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. |
3The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted. | 3The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but whoever associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth. |
4A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it. | 4A king brings stability to a land by justice, but one who exacts tribute tears it down. |
5To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet. | 5The one who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his steps. |
6Evil people are trapped by sin, but the righteous escape, shouting for joy. | 6In the transgression of an evil person there is a snare, but a righteous person can sing and rejoice. |
7The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all. | 7The righteous person cares for the legal rights of the poor; the wicked does not understand such knowledge. |
8Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but the wise will calm anger. | 8Scornful people inflame a city, but those who are wise turn away wrath. |
9If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction. | 9If a wise person goes to court with a foolish person, there is no peace whether he is angry or laughs. |
10The bloodthirsty hate blameless people, but the upright seek to help them. | 10Bloodthirsty people hate someone with integrity; as for the upright, they seek his life. |
11Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. | 11A fool lets fly with all his temper, but a wise person keeps it back. |
12If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked. | 12If a ruler listens to lies, all his ministers will be wicked. |
13The poor and the oppressor have this in common— the LORD gives sight to the eyes of both. | 13The poor person and the oppressor have this in common: the LORD gives light to the eyes of them both. |
14If a king judges the poor fairly, his throne will last forever. | 14If a king judges the poor in truth, his throne will be established forever. |
15To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. | 15A rod and reproof impart wisdom, but a child who is unrestrained brings shame to his mother. |
16When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall. | 16When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will see their downfall. |
17Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad. | 17Discipline your child, and he will give you rest; he will bring you happiness. |
18When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. | 18When there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but the one who keeps the law, blessed is he! |
19Words alone will not discipline a servant; the words may be understood, but they are not heeded. | 19A servant cannot be corrected by words, for although he understands, there is no answer. |
20There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. | 20Do you see someone who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. |
21A servant pampered from childhood will become a rebel. | 21If someone pampers his servant from youth, he will be a weakling in the end. |
22An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin. | 22An angry person stirs up dissension, and a wrathful person is abounding in transgression. |
23Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. | 23A person's pride will bring him low, but one who has a lowly spirit will gain honor. |
24If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself. You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify. | 24Whoever shares with a thief is his own enemy; he hears the oath to testify, but does not talk. |
25Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety. | 25The fear of people becomes a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD will be set on high. |
26Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from the LORD. | 26Many people seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that one receives justice. |
27The righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly. | 27An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous, and the one who lives an upright life is an abomination to the wicked. |
|