New American Standard Bible NAS
New International Version NIV
1 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, 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 By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.
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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 lowly Is like a driving rain which 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 with 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 all things.
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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 crooked though he be rich.
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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 discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates 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 interest and usury Gathers it for him who is gracious 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 He who turns away his ear from listening to 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 leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, 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 transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
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Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 How blessed is the man who fears 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 and a rushing 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 leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, 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 A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood Will be a fugitive until death; let no one 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 He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, But he who is crooked will fall all at once.
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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 food, But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.
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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 makes haste 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, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
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To show partiality is not good— yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 A man with an evil eye 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 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 He who robs his father or his mother And says, "It is not a 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 An arrogant man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD 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 his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely 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 never want, But he who shuts 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 increase.
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When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California. 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.