New King James Version NKJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.
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The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged.
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When a land transgresses it has many rulers; but with men of understanding and knowledge its stability will long continue.
3 A poor man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.
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A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them.
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Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all.
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Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
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Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
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He who keeps the law is a wise son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.
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He who augments his wealth by interest and increase gathers it for him who is kind to the poor.
9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
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If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; But the blameless will inherit good.
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He who misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit; but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
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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 glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.
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When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
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He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
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Blessed is the man who fears the LORD always; but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people.
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Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
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A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor; but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him.
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If a man is burdened with the blood of another, let him be a fugitive until death; let no one help him.
18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
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He who walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is perverse in his ways will fall into a pit.
19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
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He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
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A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
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To show partiality is not good; but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.
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A miserly man hastens after wealth, and does not know that want will come upon him.
23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue.
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He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, "It is no transgression," The same is companion to a destroyer.
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He who robs his father or his mother and says, "That is no transgression," is the companion of a man who destroys.
25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.
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A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.
26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
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He who trusts in his own mind is a fool; but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.
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He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
28 When the wicked arise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.
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When the wicked rise, men hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.