Common English Bible CEB
New Revised Standard NRS
1 The wicked run away even though no one pursues them, but the righteous are as confident as a lion.
1
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as 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 rebels it has many rulers; but with an intelligent ruler there is lasting order.
3 Poor people who oppress the needy are rain that washes away food.
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A ruler 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 struggle against them.
5 Evil people don't understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand everything.
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The evil 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 to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in one's ways even though rich.
7 Intelligent children follow Instruction, but those who befriend gluttons shame their parents.
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Those who keep the law are wise children, but companions of gluttons shame their parents.
8 Those who become rich through high interest rates gather money for those who are generous to the poor.
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One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.
9 Those who turn their ears from hearing Instruction— even their prayers will be detested.
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When one will not listen to the law, even one's prayers are 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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Those who mislead the upright into evil ways will fall into pits of their own making, 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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The rich is wise in self-esteem, but an intelligent poor person sees through the pose.
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 prevail, people go into hiding.
13 Those who hide their sins won't succeed, but those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.
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No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one 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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Happy is the one who is never without fear, but one who is hard-hearted will fall into calamity.
15 A wicked ruler over the poor is like a growling lion or a prowling bear.
15
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 one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life.
17 If someone feels guilty about murder, don't hold them back from fleeing to the pit.
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If someone is burdened with the blood of another, let that killer be a fugitive until death; let no one offer assistance.
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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One who walks in integrity will be safe, but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.
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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Anyone who tills the land will have plenty of bread, but one 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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The faithful will abound with blessings, but one who is in a hurry 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— yet for a piece of bread a person may do wrong.
22 The stingy try to get rich fast, unaware that loss will come to them.
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The miser is in a hurry to get rich and does not know that loss is sure to come.
23 Those who correct someone will, in the end, find more favor than those with flattering tongues.
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Whoever rebukes a person will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the 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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Anyone who robs father or mother and says, "That is no crime," is partner to a thug.
25 Greedy people stir up conflict, but those who trust the LORD become prosperous.
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The greedy person stirs up strife, but whoever 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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Those who trust in their own wits are fools; but those who walk in wisdom come through safely.
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 lack nothing, but one who turns a blind eye 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 prevail, people go into hiding; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.