The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New International Version NIV
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues them; but the righteous, like lions, feel sure of themselves.
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The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 A land which transgresses [is punished by] having many rulers; but with a man of understanding and knowledge, stability is prolonged.
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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 weak is like a downpour that sweeps away all the food.
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A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
4 Those who abandon Torah praise the wicked, but those who keep Torah fight them.
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Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.
5 Evil people don't understand justice, but those who seek ADONAI understand everything.
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Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
6 Better to be poor and live an honest life than be crooked in one's ways, though rich.
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Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.
7 A wise son observes Torah, but a friend of those lacking restraint 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 charging exorbitant interest amasses it for someone who will bestow it 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 If a person will not listen to Torah, 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 honest to pursue evil ways will himself fall into his own pit, but the pure-hearted 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 view, but the poor who has discernment 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 just are triumphant, there is great rejoicing, but when the wicked rise up, people hide.
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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 will not succeed; he who confesses and abandons them will gain mercy.
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Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Happy the person who is never without fear, but he who hardens his heart will fall into misfortune.
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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 bear prowling for food 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 prince without discernment is a cruel oppressor, but one who hates greed will prolong his life.
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A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
17 Let a man weighed down with anyone's blood flee to a pit; give him no support.
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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 lives blamelessly will be saved, but he whose ways are crooked will fall in one [of those ways].
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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 farms his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows futilities 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 trustworthy person will receive many blessings, but one rushing to get 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, though a person may do wrong for a crust of bread.
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To show partiality is not good— yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 He who is greedy rushes after riches, not knowing that want will overtake him.
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The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
23 He who rebukes another person in the end gets more thanks than the flatterer.
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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 mother or father and says, "That's not a crime!"is comrade to the destroyer.
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Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys.
25 A grasping disposition stirs up strife, but he who trusts in ADONAI will prosper.
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The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.
26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who lives by wisdom will escape.
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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 lack nothing, but he who hides his eyes will get curses in plenty.
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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 up, people hide; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
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When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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.