Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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1 When you do a good deed,
make sure you know who is
benefiting from it; then what you do
will not be wasted. note note
2 You will be repaid
for any kindness you show to a
devout person. If he doesn't repay
you, the Most High will.
3 No good
ever comes to a person who gives
comfort to the wicked; it is not a
righteous act. note
4 Give to religious
people, but don't help sinners.
5 Do
good to humble people, but don't
give anything to those who are not
devout. Don't give them food, or
they will use your kindness against
you. Every good thing you do for
such people will bring you twice as
much trouble in return.
6 The Most
High himself hates sinners, and he
will punish them.
7 Give to good people,
but do not help sinners.
8 When things are going well, it is
hard to tell who your real friends
are, but in hard times you can recognize
your enemies;
9 even your
friends will leave you then. But
when you are successful, your enemies
will act like friends. note
10 Never
trust an enemy; his wickedness is as
destructive as rust.
11 Watch out,
and be on guard against him, even if
he acts ever so humble. He is like a
metal mirror that rusts away if you
don't keep it polished.
12 Seat an enemy
at your right hand, and the next
thing you know he'll be trying to get
your own place of honor. Put him
next to you, and he will overthrow
you. Then you will realize the truth
of my words, and be stung with regret
when you remember them.
-- --
13 Nobody feels sorry for snake
charmers or wild animal tamers who
get bitten,
14 and nobody will feel
sorry for you if you run around with
sinners and get involved in their
wrongdoing.
15 An enemy will stay with you for
a while, but not when trouble comes.
16 He will speak fine words while he
plots how to trap you. He will pretend
to share your sorrows, but he
will kill you if he gets a chance.
17 If
trouble comes your way, you will
find him waiting, ready to trip you
up while he pretends to help you.
18 He will be a different person then,
rubbing his hands, nodding his head,
and spreading rumors about you.
Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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