Contemporary English Version You Can't Hide behind Evil1 To accept correction is wise, to reject it is stupid. 2The Lord likes everyone who lives right, but he punishes everyone who makes evil plans. 3Sin cannot offer security! But if you live right, you will be as secure as a tree with deep roots. 4A helpful wife is a jewel for her husband, but a shameless wife will make his bones rot. 5Good people have kind thoughts, but you should never trust the advice of someone evil. 6Bad advice is a deadly trap, but good advice is like a shield. 7Once the wicked are defeated, they are gone forever, but no one who obeys God will ever be thrown down. 8Good sense is worthy of praise, but stupidity is a curse. 9It's better to be ordinary and have only one servant+ than to think you are somebody and starve to death. 10Good people are kind to their animals, but a mean person is cruel. 11Hard working farmers have more than enough food; daydreamers are nothing more than stupid fools. 12An evil person tries to hide behind evil;+ good people are like trees with deep roots. 13We trap ourselves by telling lies, but we stay out of trouble by living right. 14We are rewarded or punished for what we say and do. 15Fools think they know what is best, but a sensible person listens to advice. 16Losing your temper is foolish; ignoring an insult is smart. 17An honest person tells the truth in court, but a dishonest person tells nothing but lies. 18Sharp words cut like a sword, but words of wisdom heal. 19Truth will last forever; lies are soon found out. 20An evil mind is deceitful, but gentle thoughts bring happiness. 21Good people never have trouble, but troublemakers have more than enough. 22The Lord hates every liar, but he is the friend of all who can be trusted. 23Be sensible and don't tell everything you know— only fools spread foolishness everywhere. 24Work hard, and you will be a leader; be lazy, and you will end up a slave. 25Worry is a heavy burden, but a kind word always brings cheer. 26You are better off to do right, than to lose your way by doing wrong.+ 27Anyone too lazy to cook will starve, but a hard worker is a valuable treasure.+ 28Living right is a pathway that leads to life and away from death. Footnotes: 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 Bible Hub |