Old/New Testament
The Lord Has the Final Word
16 We humans make plans,
but the Lord
has the final word.
2 We may think we know
what is right,
but the Lord is the judge
of our motives.
3 Share your plans with the Lord,
and you will succeed.
4 The Lord has a reason
for everything he does,
and he lets evil people live
only to be punished.
5 The Lord doesn't like
anyone who is conceited—
you can be sure
they will be punished.
6 (A) If we truly love God,
our sins will be forgiven;
if we show him respect,
we will keep away from sin.
7 When we please the Lord,
even our enemies
make friends with us.
8 (B) It's better to be honest
and poor
than to be dishonest
and rich.
9 We make our own plans,
but the Lord decides
where we will go.
10 Rulers speak with authority
and are never wrong.
11 The Lord watches to see
if we are fair
or if we cheat others.
12 Justice makes rulers powerful.
They should hate evil
13 and like honesty and truth.
14 An angry ruler
can put you to death.
So be wise!
Don't make one angry.
15 When a ruler is happy
and pleased with you,
it's like refreshing rain,
and you will live.
16 It's much better to be wise
and sensible
than to be rich.
17 God's people avoid evil ways,
and they protect themselves
by watching where they go.
18 Too much pride
will destroy you.
19 You are better off
to be humble and poor
than to get rich
from what you take by force.
20 If you know what you're doing,[a]
you will prosper.
God blesses everyone
who trusts him.
21 Good judgment proves
that you are wise,
and if you speak kindly,
you can teach others.
22 Good sense is a fountain
that gives life,
but fools are punished
by their foolishness.
23 You can persuade others
if you are wise
and speak sensibly.
24 Kind words are like honey—
they cheer you up
and make you feel strong.
25 (C) Sometimes what seems right
is really a road to death.
26 The hungrier you are,
the harder you work.
27 Worthless people plan trouble.
Even their words burn
like a flaming fire.
28 (D) Gossip is no good!
It causes hard feelings
and comes between friends.
29 Don't trust violent people.
They will mislead you
to do the wrong thing.
30 When someone winks
or grins behind your back,
trouble is on the way.
31 Gray hair is a glorious crown
worn by those
who have lived right.
32 Controlling your temper
is better than being a hero
who captures a city.
33 We make our own decisions,
but the Lord alone
determines what happens.
Our Thoughts Are Tested by the Lord
17 A dry crust of bread eaten
in peace and quiet
is better than a feast eaten
where everyone argues.
2 A wise slave
will be placed in charge
of a no-good child,
and that slave will be given
the same inheritance
that each child receives.
3 Silver and gold are tested
by flames of fire;
our thoughts are tested
by the Lord.
4 Troublemakers listen
to troublemakers,
and liars listen to liars.
5 By insulting the poor,
you insult your Creator.
You will be punished
if you make fun
of someone in trouble.
6 Grandparents are proud
of their grandchildren,
and children should be proud
of their parents.
7 It sounds strange for a fool
to talk sensibly,
but it's even worse
for a ruler to tell lies.
8 A bribe works miracles
like a magic charm
that brings good luck.
9 You will keep your friends
if you forgive them,
but you will lose your friends
if you keep talking about
what they did wrong.
10 A sensible person
accepts correction,
but you can't beat sense
into a fool.
11 Cruel people want to rebel,
and so vicious attackers
will be sent against them.
12 A bear robbed of her cubs
is far less dangerous
than a stubborn fool.
13 You will always have trouble
if you are mean to those
who are good to you.
14 The start of an argument
is like a water leak—
so stop it before
real trouble breaks out.
15 The Lord doesn't like those
who defend the guilty
or condemn the innocent.
16 Why should fools have money
for an education
when they refuse to learn?
17 (E) A friend is there to help,
in any situation,
and relatives are born
to share our troubles.
18 It's stupid to guarantee
someone else's loan.
19 The wicked and the proud
love trouble and keep begging
to be hurt.
20 Dishonesty does you no good,
and telling lies
will get you in trouble.
21 It's never pleasant
to be the parent of a fool
and have nothing but pain.
22 If you are cheerful,
you feel good;
if you are sad,
you hurt all over.
23 Crooks accept secret bribes
to keep justice
from being done.
24 Anyone with wisdom knows
what makes good sense,
but fools can never
make up their minds.
25 Foolish children bring sorrow
and pain to their parents.
26 It isn't fair
to punish the innocent
and those who do right.
27 It makes a lot of sense
to be a person of few words
and to stay calm.
28 (F) Even fools seem smart
when they are quiet.
It's Wrong To Favor the Guilty
18 It's selfish and stupid
to think only of yourself
and to sneer at people
who have sense.[b]
2 Fools have no desire to learn,
instead they would rather
give their own opinion.
3 Wrongdoing leads to shame
and disgrace.
4 Words of wisdom
are a stream that flows
from a deep fountain.
5 It's wrong to favor the guilty
and keep the innocent
from getting justice.
6 Foolish talk will get you
into a lot of trouble.
7 Saying foolish things
is like setting a trap
to destroy yourself.
8 There's nothing so delicious
as the taste of gossip!
It melts in your mouth.
9 Being lazy is no different
from being a troublemaker.
10 The Lord is a mighty tower
where his people can run
for safety—
11 the rich think their money
is a wall of protection.
12 Pride leads to destruction;
humility leads to honor.
13 (G) It's stupid and embarrassing
to give an answer
before you listen.
14 Being cheerful helps
when you are sick,
but nothing helps
when you give up.
15 Everyone with good sense
wants to learn.
16 A gift will get you in
to see anyone.
17 You may think you have won
your case in court,
until your opponent speaks.
18 Drawing straws is one way
to settle a difficult case.
19 Making up with a friend
you have offended[c]
is harder than breaking
through a city wall.
20 Make your words good—
you will be glad you did.
21 Words can bring death or life!
Talk too much, and you will eat
everything you say.
22 (H) A man's greatest treasure
is his wife—
she is a gift from the Lord.
23 The poor must beg for help,
but the rich can give
a harsh reply.
24 Some friends don't help,[d]
but a true friend is closer
than your own family.
6 We work together with God, and we beg you to make good use of God's gift of undeserved grace. 2 (A) In the Scriptures God says,
“When the time came,
I listened to you,
and when you needed help,
I came to save you.”
That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved.
3 We don't want anyone to find fault with our work, and so we try hard not to cause problems. 4 But in everything and in every way we show we truly are God's servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times. 5 (B) We have been beaten, put in jail, and hurt in riots. We have worked hard and have gone without sleep or food. 6 But we have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient, and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real. 7 We have spoken the truth, and God's power has worked in us. In all our struggles we have said and done only what is right.
8 Whether we were honored or dishonored or praised or cursed, we always told the truth about ourselves. But some people said we did not. 9 We are unknown to others, but well known to you. We seem to be dying, and yet we are still alive. We have been punished, but never killed, 10 and we are always happy, even in times of suffering. Although we are poor, we have made many people rich. And though we own nothing, everything is ours.
11 Friends in Corinth, we are telling the truth when we say there is room in our hearts for you. 12 We are not holding back on our love for you, but you are holding back on your love for us. 13 I speak to you as I would speak to my own children. Please make room in your hearts for us.
The Temple of the Living God
14 Stay away from people who are not followers of the Lord! Can someone who is good get along with someone who is evil? Are light and darkness the same? 15 Is Christ a friend of Satan?[a] Can people who follow the Lord have anything in common with those who don't? 16 (C) Do idols belong in the temple of God? We are the temple of the living God, as God himself says,
“I will live with these people
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be
my people.”
17 (D) The Lord also says,
“Leave them and stay away!
Don't touch anything
that isn't clean.
Then I will welcome you
18 (E) and be your Father.
You will be my sons
and my daughters,
as surely as I am God,
the All-Powerful.”
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society For more information about CEV, visit www.bibles.com and www.cev.bible.