New Living Translation | New International Version |
1Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. | 1A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. |
2The rich and poor have this in common: The LORD made them both. | 2Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. |
3A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. | 3The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. |
4True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life. | 4Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. |
5Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it. | 5In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. |
6Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. | 6Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. |
7Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. | 7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. |
8Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end. | 8Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. |
9Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. | 9The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. |
10Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear. | 10Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. |
11Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend. | 11One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. |
12The LORD preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous. | 12The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. |
13The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!” | 13The sluggard says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the public square!" |
14The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the LORD angry will fall into it. | 14The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the LORD's wrath falls into it. |
15A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away. | 15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. |
16A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. Sayings of the Wise | 16One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty. |
17Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. | 17Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, |
18For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. | 18for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. |
19I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the LORD. | 19So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. |
20I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. | 20Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, |
21In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you. | 21teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? |
22Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court. | 22Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, |
23For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them. | 23for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life. |
24Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, | 24Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, |
25or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. | 25or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. |
26Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else. | 26Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; |
27If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you. | 27if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. |
28Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations. | 28Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors. |
29Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people. | 29Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank. |
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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