New International Version NIV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
1
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.
2
When a land rebels it has many rulers; but with an intelligent ruler there is lasting order.
3 A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
3
A ruler who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.
4
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law struggle against them.
5 Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
5
The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.
6
Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in one's ways even though rich.
7 A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
7
Those who keep the law are wise children, but companions of gluttons shame their parents.
8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
8
One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.
9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.
9
When one will not listen to the law, even one's prayers are an abomination.
10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
10
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 The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.
11
The rich is wise in self-esteem, but an intelligent poor person sees through the pose.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
12
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.
13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
13
No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
14
Happy is the one who is never without fear, but one who is hard-hearted will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
15
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
16
A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor; but one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life.
17 Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back.
17
If someone is burdened with the blood of another, let that killer be a fugitive until death; let no one offer assistance.
18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.
18
One who walks in integrity will be safe, but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.
19 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
19
Anyone who tills the land will have plenty of bread, but one who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
20
The faithful will abound with blessings, but one who is in a hurry to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good— yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
21
To show partiality is not good— yet for a piece of bread a person may do wrong.
22 The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
22
The miser is in a hurry to get rich and does not know that loss is sure to come.
23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
23
Whoever rebukes a person will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys.
24
Anyone who robs father or mother and says, "That is no crime," is partner to a thug.
25 The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.
25
The greedy person stirs up strife, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
26 Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
26
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 close their eyes to them receive many curses.
27
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 to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
28
When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
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.
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.