The Bible in Basic English BBE
New International Version NIV
1 The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.
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The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 Because of the sin of the land, its troubles are increased; but by a man of wisdom and knowledge they will be put out like a fire.
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When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.
3 A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.
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A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
4 Those who have no respect for the law give praise to the evil-doer; but such as keep the law are against him.
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Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.
5 Evil men have no knowledge of what is right; but those who go after the Lord have knowledge of 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 man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are not straight.
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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 he who keeps company with feasters puts shame on his father.
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A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8 He who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him 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 As for the man whose ear is turned away from hearing the law, even his prayer is disgusting.
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If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.
10 Anyone causing the upright to go wandering in an evil way, will himself go down into the hole he has made; but the upright will have good things for their heritage.
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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 man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of 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 upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.
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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 keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.
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Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble.
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Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
15 Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil 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 The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for himself will have long life.
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A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
17 One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him 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 He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.
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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 By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.
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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 man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.
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A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
21 It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit 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 ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.
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The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
23 He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words 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 takes from his father or his mother what is theirs by right, and says, It is no sin; is the same as a taker of life.
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Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys.
25 He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.
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The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.
26 He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.
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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 be in need, but great curses will be on him who gives no attention to them.
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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 evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.
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When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
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.