The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues them; but the righteous, like lions, feel sure of themselves.
1
The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.
2 A land which transgresses [is punished by] having many rulers; but with a man of understanding and knowledge, stability is prolonged.
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.
3 A poor man who oppresses the weak is like a downpour that sweeps away all the food.
3
A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.
4 Those who abandon Torah praise the wicked, but those who keep Torah fight them.
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Those who have no respect for the law give praise to the evil-doer; but such as keep the law are against him.
5 Evil people don't understand justice, but those who seek ADONAI understand everything.
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Evil men have no knowledge of what is right; but those who go after the Lord have knowledge of all things.
6 Better to be poor and live an honest life than be crooked in one's ways, though rich.
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Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are not straight.
7 A wise son observes Torah, but a friend of those lacking restraint shames his father.
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He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who keeps company with feasters puts shame on his father.
8 He who increases his wealth by charging exorbitant interest amasses it for someone who will bestow it on the poor.
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He who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him who has pity on the poor.
9 If a person will not listen to Torah, even his prayer is an abomination.
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As for the man whose ear is turned away from hearing the law, even his prayer is disgusting.
10 Whoever causes the honest to pursue evil ways will himself fall into his own pit, but the pure-hearted will inherit good.
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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.
11 The rich man is wise in his own view, but the poor who has discernment sees through him.
11
The man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of him.
12 When the just are triumphant, there is great rejoicing, but when the wicked rise up, people hide.
12
When the upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.
13 He who conceals his sins will not succeed; he who confesses and abandons them will gain mercy.
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.
14 Happy the person who is never without fear, but he who hardens his heart will fall into misfortune.
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.
15 Like a roaring lion or a bear prowling for food is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
15
Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil ruler over a poor people.
16 A prince without discernment is a cruel oppressor, but one who hates greed will prolong his life.
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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.
17 Let a man weighed down with anyone's blood flee to a pit; give him no support.
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One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.
18 Whoever lives blamelessly will be saved, but he whose ways are crooked will fall in one [of those ways].
18
He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.
19 He who farms his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows futilities will have plenty of poverty.
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.
20 A trustworthy person will receive many blessings, but one rushing to get rich will not go unpunished.
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A man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.
21 To show partiality is not good, though a person may do wrong for a crust of bread.
21
It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.
22 He who is greedy rushes after riches, not knowing that want will overtake him.
22
He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.
23 He who rebukes another person in the end gets more thanks than the flatterer.
23
He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.
24 Whoever robs mother or father and says, "That's not a crime!"is comrade to the destroyer.
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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.
25 A grasping disposition stirs up strife, but he who trusts in ADONAI will prosper.
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He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.
26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who lives by wisdom will escape.
26
He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.
27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who hides his eyes will get curses in plenty.
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.
28 When the wicked rise up, people hide; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
28
When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.