The Living Bible (211 page)
Authors: Inc. Tyndale House Publishers
Tags: #BIBLES / Other Translations / Text
Honor doesn’t go with fools any more than snow with summertime or rain with harvesttime!
2
An undeserved curse has no effect. Its intended victim will be no more harmed by it than by a sparrow or swallow flitting through the sky.
3
Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a rebel with a rod to his back!
4-5
When arguing with a rebel, don’t use foolish arguments as he does, or you will become as foolish as he is! Prick his conceit with silly replies!
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6
To trust a rebel to convey a message is as foolish as cutting off your feet and drinking poison!
7
In the mouth of a fool a proverb becomes as useless as a paralyzed leg.
8
Honoring a rebel will backfire like a stone tied to a slingshot!
9
A rebel will misapply an illustration so that its point will no more be felt than a thorn in the hand of a drunkard.
10
The master may get better work from an untrained apprentice than from a skilled rebel!
11
As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
12
There is one thing worse than a fool, and that is a man who is conceited.
13
The lazy man won’t go out and work. “There might be a lion outside!” he says.
14
He sticks to his bed like a door to its hinges!
15
He is too tired even to lift his food from his dish to his mouth!
16
Yet in his own opinion he is smarter than seven wise men.
17
Yanking a dog’s ears is no more foolish than interfering in an argument that isn’t any of your business.
18-19
A man who is caught lying to his neighbor and says, “I was just fooling,” is like a madman throwing around firebrands, arrows, and death!
20
Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and tensions disappear when gossip stops.
21
A quarrelsome man starts fights as easily as a match sets fire to paper.
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22
Gossip is a dainty morsel eaten with great relish.
23
Pretty words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty glaze covers a common clay pot.
24-26
A man with hate in his heart may sound pleasant enough, but don’t believe him; for he is cursing you in his heart. Though he pretends to be so kind, his hatred will finally come to light for all to see.
27
The man who sets a trap for others will get caught in it himself. Roll a boulder down on someone, and it will roll back and crush you.
28
Flattery is a form of hatred and wounds cruelly.
Don’t brag about your plans for tomorrow—wait and see what happens.
2
Don’t praise yourself; let others do it!
3
A rebel’s frustrations are heavier than sand and rocks.
4
Jealousy is more dangerous and cruel than anger.
5
Open rebuke is better than hidden love!
6
Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy!
7
Even honey seems tasteless to a man who is full; but if he is hungry, he’ll eat anything!
8
A man who strays from home is like a bird that wanders from its nest.
9
Friendly suggestions are as pleasant as perfume.
10
Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father’s. Then you won’t need to go to a distant relative for help in your time of need.
11
My son, how happy I will be if you turn out to be sensible! It will be a public honor to me.
12
A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks and suffers the consequences.
13
The world’s poorest credit risk is the man who agrees to pay a stranger’s debts.
14
If you shout a pleasant greeting to a friend too early in the morning, he will count it as a curse!
15
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a cranky woman are much alike!
16
You can no more stop her complaints than you can stop the wind or hold onto anything with greasy hands.
17
A friendly discussion is as stimulating as the sparks that fly when iron strikes iron.
18
A workman may eat from the orchard he tends; anyone should be rewarded who protects another’s interests.
19
A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.
20
Ambition
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and death are alike in this: neither is ever satisfied.
21
The purity of silver and gold can be tested in a crucible, but a man is tested by his reaction to men’s praise.
22
You can’t separate a rebel from his foolishness though you crush him to powder.
23-24
Riches can disappear fast. And the king’s crown doesn’t stay in his family forever—so watch your business
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interests closely. Know the state of your flocks and your herds;
25-27
then there will be lambs’ wool enough for clothing and goats’ milk enough for food for all your household after the hay is harvested, and the new crop appears, and the mountain grasses are gathered in.
The wicked flee when no one is chasing them! But the godly are bold as lions!
2
When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily; but with honest, sensible leaders there is stability.
3
When a poor man oppresses those even poorer, he is like an unexpected flood sweeping away their last hope.
4
To complain about the law is to praise wickedness. To obey the law is to fight evil.
5
Evil men don’t understand the importance of justice, but those who follow the Lord are much concerned about it.
6
Better to be poor and honest than rich and a cheater.
7
Young men who are wise obey the law; a son who is a member of a lawless gang is a shame to his father.
8
Income from exploiting the poor will end up in the hands of someone who pities them.
9
God doesn’t listen to the prayers of those who flout the law.
10
A curse on those who lead astray the godly. But men who encourage the upright to do good shall be given a worthwhile reward.
11
Rich men are conceited, but their real poverty is evident to the poor.
12
When the godly are successful, everyone is glad. When the wicked succeed, everyone is sad.
13
A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.
14
Blessed is the man who reveres God, but the man who doesn’t care is headed for serious trouble.
15
A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a lion or bear attacking them.
16
Only a stupid prince will oppress his people, but a king will have a long reign if he hates dishonesty and bribes.
17
A murderer’s conscience will drive him into hell. Don’t stop him!
18
Good men will be rescued from harm, but cheaters will be destroyed.
19
Hard work brings prosperity; playing around brings poverty.
20
The man who wants to do right will get a rich reward. But the man who wants to get rich quick will quickly fail.
21
Giving preferred treatment to rich people is a clear case of selling one’s soul for a piece of bread.
22
Trying to get rich quick is evil and leads to poverty.
23
In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery.
24
A man who robs his parents and says, “What’s wrong with that?” is no better than a murderer.
25
Greed causes fighting; trusting God leads to prosperity.
26
A man is a fool to trust himself! But those who use God’s wisdom are safe.
27
If you give to the poor, your needs will be supplied! But a curse upon those who close their eyes to poverty.
28
When the wicked prosper, good men go away; when the wicked meet disaster, good men return.