World English Bible WEB
New International Version NIV
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues; But the righteous are as 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 In rebellion, a land has many rulers, But order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
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When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.
3 A needy man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
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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 contend with them.
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Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.
5 Evil men don't understand justice; But those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.
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Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, Than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
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Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; But he who is 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 increases his wealth by excessive interest Gathers it for one who has pity on 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 He who 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 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He will fall into his own trap; But the blameless will inherit good.
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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 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; But the poor who has understanding sees through him.
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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 sins doesn't prosper, But whoever confesses and renounces them finds 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 always fears; But one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
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Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear, So is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
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Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16 The ruler who lacks judgment is a great tyrant. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
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A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
17 A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; No one will support 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 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; But one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
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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 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; But one who chases fantasies will have his fill 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 is rich with blessings; But one who is eager 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; Yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
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To show partiality is not good— yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 A stingy man hurries after riches, And doesn't know that poverty waits for him.
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The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than one who flatters with the tongue.
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Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, "It's not wrong." He is a partner with a destroyer.
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Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys.
25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; But one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
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The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.
26 One who trusts in himself is a fool; But one who walks in wisdom, he is kept safe.
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Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
27 One who gives to the poor has no lack; But one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
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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 thrive.
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When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
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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.