Rodent Regatta

Many scholars believe that recent translations of the Bible are superior to older translations because of recent archaeological finds. Others find heresy in anything other than the 1611 King James Version.

Then there are those Bibles that don’t claim transational purity. They pursue inspiration, meaning and engagement with the reader.

The following is chapter 12 of the book of Proverbs from The Message. It truly reads like a list of pithy sayings. It reads like something we might say to one another today. It’s no substitute for a great translation of the Bible, but it is certainly an inspirational addition to any library.

Proverbs 12 from The Message

1 If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it – how shortsighted to refuse correction!

2 A good person basks in the delight of God, and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.

3 You can’t find firm footing in a swamp, but life rooted in God stands firm.

4 A hearty wife invigorates her husband, but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones.

5 The thinking of principled people makes for justice; the plots of degenerates corrupt.

6 The words of the wicked kill; the speech of the upright saves.

7 Wicked people fall to pieces – there’s nothing to them; the homes of good people hold together.

8 A person who talks sense is honored; airheads are held in contempt.

9 Better to be ordinary and work for a living than act important and starve in the process.

10 Good people are good to their animals; the ”good-hearted” bad people kick and abuse them.

11 The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies.

12 What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin, while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life. Wise People Take Advice

13 The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.

14 Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward.

15 Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.

16 Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly shrug off insults.

17 Truthful witness by a good person clears the air, but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.

18 Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise.

19 Truth lasts; lies are here today, gone tomorrow.

20 Evil scheming distorts the schemer; peace-planning brings joy to the planner.

21 No evil can overwhelm a good person, but the wicked have their hands full of it.

22 God can’t stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word.

23 Prudent people don’t flaunt their knowledge; talkative fools broadcast their silliness.

24 The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.

25 Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.

26 A good person survives misfortune, but a wicked life invites disaster.

27 A lazy life is an empty life, but ”early to rise” gets the job done.

28 Good men and women travel right into life; sin’s detours take you straight to hell.