Common English Bible CEB
English Standard Version ESV
1 The wicked run away even though no one pursues them, but the righteous are as confident as a lion.
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The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 When a land rebels, there are many leaders; but a person with understanding brings order.
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When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.
3 Poor people who oppress the needy are rain that washes away food.
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A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who abandon Instruction praise the wicked, but those who follow Instruction battle them.
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Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.
5 Evil people don't understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand everything.
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Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
6 Better to be poor and walk in innocence than to be on crooked paths and wealthy.
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Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
7 Intelligent children follow Instruction, but those who befriend gluttons shame their parents.
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The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Those who become rich through high interest rates gather money for those who are generous to the poor.
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Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
9 Those who turn their ears from hearing Instruction— even their prayers will be detested.
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If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever misleads those who do right onto an evil path will fall into their own pit, but the blameless will inherit good things.
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Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11 Rich people think they are wise, but an insightful poor person sees through them.
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A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great respect, but people hide when the wicked prosper.
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When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13 Those who hide their sins won't succeed, but those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.
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Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Happy are those who are continually fearful, but those whose hearts are hard fall into trouble.
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Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 A wicked ruler over the poor is like a growling lion or a prowling bear.
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Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A prince without understanding is a cruel oppressor, but one who hates unjust gain will live long.
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A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 If someone feels guilty about murder, don't hold them back from fleeing to the pit.
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If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death; let no one help him.
18 Those who walk in innocence will be saved, but those who go on twisted paths will fall into the grave.
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Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 Those who work the land will have plenty to eat, but those with worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
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Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 Reliable people will have abundant blessings, but those with get-rich-quick schemes won't go unpunished.
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A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 Those who show favoritism aren't good; people do wrong for a crust of bread.
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To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 The stingy try to get rich fast, unaware that loss will come to them.
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A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 Those who correct someone will, in the end, find more favor than those with flattering tongues.
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Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.
24 Those who steal from their father and mother, and say, "It's not a crime," are friends of vandals.
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Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “That is no transgression, ”is a companion to a man who destroys.
25 Greedy people stir up conflict, but those who trust the LORD become prosperous.
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A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
26 Those who trust in their own reasoning are fools, but those who walk in wisdom will be kept safe.
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Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who turn a blind eye will be greatly cursed.
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Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
28 When the wicked rise up, people hide, but when they are destroyed, the righteous multiply.
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When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.