Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
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The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 When a land transgresses it has many rulers; but with men of understanding and knowledge its stability will long continue.
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When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.
3 A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.
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A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.
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Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.
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Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways.
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Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.
7 He who keeps the law is a wise son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
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A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8 He who augments his wealth by interest and increase gathers it for him who is kind to the poor.
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Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
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If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.
10 He who misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit; but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
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Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
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The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
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When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
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Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who fears the LORD always; but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
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Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
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Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor; but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
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A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
17 If a man is burdened with the blood of another, let him be a fugitive until death; let no one help him.
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Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back.
18 He who walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is perverse in his ways will fall into a pit.
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The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.
19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
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Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
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A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good; but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
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To show partiality is not good— yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 A miserly man hastens after wealth, and does not know that want will come upon him.
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The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
23 He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.
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Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
24 He who robs his father or his mother and says, "That is no transgression," is the companion of a man who destroys.
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Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys.
25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.
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The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.
26 He who trusts in his own mind is a fool; but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
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Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
27 He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
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Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.
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When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.