New International Reader's Version NIRV
New International Version NIV
1 Sinners run away even when no one is chasing them. But those who do what is right are as bold as lions.
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The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 A country has many rulers when its people don't obey. But an understanding king knows how to keep order.
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When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.
3 A ruler who beats poor people down is like a pounding rain that 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 turn away from the law praise sinners. But those who obey the law oppose them.
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Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.
5 Sinful men don't understand what is fair. But those who worship 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 It is better to be poor and live without blame than to be rich and follow a crooked path.
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Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.
7 A child who obeys the law understands what is right. But a child who likes to eat too much brings shame on his father.
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A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8 A person who increases his wealth by charging high interest piles it up for someone who will be kind to poor people.
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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 you don't pay attention to the law, even your prayers are hated.
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If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.
10 Those who lead honest people down an evil path will fall into their own trap. But those who are without blame will receive good things.
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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 Rich people may be wise in their own eyes. But a poor person who understands what is right knows what they are really like.
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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 godly people win, everyone is very happy. But when sinners take charge, everyone hides.
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When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
13 Anyone who hides his sins doesn't succeed. But anyone who admits his sins and gives them up 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 one who always has respect for the Lord. But anyone who is stubborn will get into trouble.
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Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
15 An evil person who rules over helpless people is like a roaring lion or an angry bear.
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Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16 A ruler who is mean to his people doesn't have any sense. But anyone who hates money gained in the wrong way will enjoy a long life.
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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 troubled because he is guilty of murder will be on the run until the day he dies. No one should give him any help.
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Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back.
18 Anyone who lives without blame is kept safe. But anyone whose path is crooked will suddenly fall.
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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 Anyone who farms his land will have plenty of food. But anyone who chases dreams will be very poor.
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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 be richly blessed. But anyone who wants to get rich will be punished.
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A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
21 Favoring one person over another is not good. But some men 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 man who won't share what he has wants to get rich. He doesn't know he is going to be poor.
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The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
23 It is better to warn a man than to pretend to praise him. In the end he will be more pleased with you.
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Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
24 Anyone who steals from his parents and says, "It's not wrong," is just like 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 person who always wants more stirs up fights. But anyone who trusts in the LORD will succeed.
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The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.
26 Anyone who trusts in himself is foolish. But a person who lives wisely is kept safe.
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Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
27 Those who give to poor people will have everything they need. But those who close their eyes to the poor will be under 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 those who are evil take charge, other people hide. But when those who are evil die, godly people grow stronger.
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When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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.