The Good News Bible is a new translation which seeks to state clearly and accurately the meaning of the original text in words and forms that are widely accepted by people who use English as a means of communication.
Introduction to The Book of Proverbs (quoted from The Good News Bible)
The Book of Proverbs is a collection of moral and religious teachings in the form of sayings and proverbs. Much of it has to do with practical, everyday concerns. It begins with the reminder that "To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the LORD" (1.7), and then goes on to deal with matters not only of religious morality, but also of common sense and good manners. Its many short sayings reveal the insights of ancient Israelite teachers about what a wise person will do in certain situations. Some of these concern family relations, others business dealings. Some deal with matters of etiquette in social relationships, and others with the need for self-control. Much is said about qualities as humility, patience, respect for the poor, and loyalty to friends.
The Value of Proverbs (the first passage of The Book of Proverbs quoted from the GNB)
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David and king of Israel. Here are proverbs that will help you to recognize wisdom and good advice, and understand sayings with deep meaning. They can teach you how to live intelligently and how to be honest, just, and fair. They can make an inexperienced person clever and teach young people how to be resourceful. These proverbs can even add to the knowledge of the wise and give guidance to the educated, so that they can understand the hidden meanings of proverbs and the problems that the wise raise. (GNB: Prov 1.1-6)
Fools and Stupid People
It does a fool no good to spend money on an education, because he has no common sense. (GNB: Prov 17.16)
A fool does not care whether he understands a thing or not; all he wants to do is to show how clever he is. (GNB: Prov 18.2)
Stay away from foolish people; they have nothing to teach you. (GNB: Prov 14.7)
Intelligent people talk sense, but stupid people need to be punished. (GNB: Prov 10.13)
An intelligent person learns more from one rebuke than a fool learns from being beaten a hundred times. (GNB: Prov 17.10)
You have to whip a horse, you have to bridle a donkey, and you have to beat a fool. (GNB: Prov 26.3)
A conceited fool is sure to get a beating. (GNB: Prov 19.29)
Even if you beat fools until they're half dead, you still can't beat their foolishness out of them. (GNB: Prov 27.22)
If you let a fool deliver a message, you might as well cut off your own feet; you are asking for trouble. (GNB: Prov 26.6)
A fool can use a proverb about as well as crippled people can use their legs. (GNB: Prov 26.7)
A fool quoting a wise saying reminds you of a drunk trying to pick a thorn out of his hand. (GNB: Prov 26.9)
Knowledge - Intelligence - Learning
Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good; impatience will get you into trouble. (GNB: Prov 19.2)
Intelligent people want to learn, but stupid people are satisfied with ignorance. (GNB: Prov 15.14)Do yourself a favour and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper. (GNB: Prov 19.8)
Son, when you stop learning, you will soon neglect what you already know. (GNB: Prov 19.27)
People who listen when they are corrected will live, but those who will not admit that they are wrong are in danger. (GNB: Prov 10.17)
Those who love knowledge want to be told when they are wrong. It is stupid to hate being corrected. (GNB: Prov 12.1)
Someone who will not learn will be poor and disgraced. Anyone who listens to correction is respected. (GNB: Prov 13.18)
If you refuse to learn, you are hurting yourself. If you accept correction, you will be wiser. (GNB: Prov 15.32)
Intelligent people think before they speak; what they say is then more persuasive. (GNB: Prov 16.23)
Nagging Wife
Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife. (GNB: Prov 21.9)
Better to live out in the desert than with a nagging, complaining wife. (GNB: Prov 21.19)
A nagging wife is like water going drip-drip-drip on a rainy day. How can you keep her quiet? Have you ever tried to stop the wind or ever tried to hold a handful of oil? (GNB: Prov 27.15)