Beginning
We do not like or want to believe it, but there are limits to what humans can accomplish. Whatever wisdom and knowledge we think we possess is nothing compared to God’s. Whatever plans we make will come to nothing unless they line up with God’s plans and purposes for us.
22 A good reputation is preferable to riches,
and the approval of others is better than precious silver or gold.
2 Rich and poor have something in common:
both are created by the Eternal.
3 Prudent people see trouble coming and hide,
but the naive walk right into it and take a beating.
4 A humble person who fears the Eternal
can expect to receive wealth, honor, and life.
5 Thorny branches and traps lie ahead for those who follow perverse paths;
those who want to preserve themselves will steer clear of them.
6 Teach a child how to follow the right way;
even when he is old, he will stay on course.
7 The rich lord it over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave to the lender.
8 Those who sow injustice reap disaster,
and their methods of oppression will fail.
9 Generous people are genuinely blessed
because they share their food with the poor.
10 Expel a mocker, and watch the wrangling go with him;
rivalry and rude remarks will also stop.
11 Those who love a pure heart and speak with grace
will find that the king is their friend.
12 The Eternal keeps a watchful eye on those with knowledge,
but He subverts the words of the faithless.
13 A lazy person says, “A lion! Right outside!
I will surely die in the streets!
Yet another good reason to stay in today.”
14 The alluring words of a seductive woman are a deep hole;
the Eternal is incensed toward those who fall in.
15 Foolishness consumes the heart of a child,
but corporal punishment, properly administered, drives it far away.
16 If you take advantage of the poor or coddle the rich to get ahead,
you will end up destitute.
The Words of the Wise
17 Lend an ear, listen to these words of the wise,
and align your thoughts with my instructions
18 Because true pleasure will be yours by learning them, living them,
and being ready to repeat them to others.
19 In order that you will trust only in the Eternal,
I teach them to you this day—yes, even you!
20 In fact, didn’t I already write down for you
Thirty axioms of good advice and sound knowledge
21 To reveal to you what is reliably true
so you can answer those who sent you with these truths you’ve learned?
22 Do not cheat poor people just because they are vulnerable
or use shady tactics in court to crush those already suffering;
23 For the Eternal is ready to take their case,
and He ruins anyone who is out to ruin them.
24 Do not befriend someone given to anger
or hang around with a hothead.
25 Odds are, you’ll learn his ways, become angry as well,
and get caught in a trap.
26 Do not be a person to guarantee someone else’s loan
or put up collateral for the debts of an acquaintance;
27 For if you do and you can’t repay,
won’t you risk having your bed ripped out from under you?
28 Do not steal property from your neighbors by moving the boundary markers
your ancestors established.
29 And as for those who are skilled in their work,
they will be recognized and invited to serve kings
rather than regular folk.
23 When sitting down to eat with a ruler,
take a moment to think about who you are with and what you are doing.
2 If you are the type who eats too much too fast,
do whatever is necessary to curb your enthusiasm for food.
3 Also, do not eye the ruler’s delicacies,
for the food may not be what it seems.
4 Do not overwork yourself just to become wealthy;
have enough sense to know when to quit.
5 As soon as you become fixed on riches, they vanish.
For suddenly they sprout wings
and become like a soaring eagle flying high in the sky.
6 Do not sit down and eat the bread of a tight-fisted fellow
or desire any of his delicacies,
7 For deep down he’s keeping track of the cost.
He may say, “Eat up! Drink your fill!”
but he does not mean a word of it.
8 You’ll be sick and lose what little you did eat,
and you’ll waste your breath carrying on a pleasant conversation.
9 Do not waste your wisdom on a fool,
for he doesn’t care for anything you have to say.
10 Do not shift the property line by moving the boundary markers your ancestors established
or try to steal property from orphans
11 Because their Redeemer is strong,
and He will plead their case against you.
12 Develop a disciplined life.
Be attentive so you can be well informed.
13 Do not withhold discipline from children,
since corporal punishment will not kill them.
14 In fact, it may be that kind of punishment
that will save them from an early grave.
15 My son, if you live wisely,
then my life will be fulfilled.
16 My very soul will jump for joy
when you speak what is true and right.
17 Don’t be envious of those wrapped up in sin,
but always maintain a healthy respect for the Eternal.
18 Your future with Him will be certain,
and you will not have hoped in vain.
19 Listen, my son, be wise,
and steer your life on the right course.
20 Do not spend time with heavy wine drinkers
or those who gorge themselves on meat.
21 For both the drunk and the glutton will end up broke,
sleeping life away, and clothed in rags.
22 Pay attention to your father—after all, he gave you life—
and don’t ignore your mother in her old age.
23 Invest in truth, sock it away!
Never cash in wisdom, guidance, or insight.
24 The parents of the right-living will celebrate;
yes, parents of children who make wise choices are happy.
25 So make your parents happy;
delight your mother—after all, she brought you into this world.
26 My son, devote yourself to me fully.
Observe my ways, and follow my directions:
27 Being drawn to a prostitute is like falling down into a deep well,
and being involved with a wicked woman is like descending into a narrow well.
You may never get out alive.
28 She waits for you, ready to ambush you like a thief
and ready to multiply unfaithfulness among men.
29 Who is wallowing in anguish? Who is full of sorrow?
Who has conflicts? Who has complaints?
Who has bruises and can’t remember where they came from?
Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 You know who: those who stay up late finishing off the wine,
those who can’t stop savoring spiced wines.
31 Look away from the enticing beauty of wine, the deep red hue;
ignore how it shimmers in the cup
and glides down your throat.
32 Eventually, when you least expect it, it strikes like a snake;
it stings like viper venom.
33 Your vision will blur, and you’ll imagine strange things;
you will say crazy, hurtful things and regret it later.
34 You will reel and stagger as if caught on a wave of seasickness,
as a sailor who holds on to a mast for dear life.
35 You will say, “They slapped me, but it didn’t hurt.
They beat me, and I didn’t feel a thing!
Whenever I wake up from this stupor,
I’ll have another drink!”
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.