New Living Translation NLT
Young's Literal Translation YLT
1 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions.
1
The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer. And the righteous as a young lion is confident.
2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.
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By the transgression of a land many [are] its heads. And by an intelligent man, Who knoweth right -- it is prolonged.
3 A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.
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A man -- poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them.
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Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.
5 Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand completely.
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Evil men understand not judgment, And those seeking Jehovah understand all.
6 Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich.
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Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
7 Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.
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Whoso is keeping the law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons, Doth cause his father to blush.
8 Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.
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Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.
9 God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law.
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Whoso is turning his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
10 Those who lead good people along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things.
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Whoso is causing the upright to err in an evil way, Into his own pit he doth fall, And the perfect do inherit good.
11 Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.
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A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searcheth him.
12 When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
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In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
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Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy.
14 Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
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O the happiness of a man fearing continually, And whoso is hardening his heart falleth into evil.
15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.
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A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will have a long life.
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A leader lacking understanding multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days.
17 A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him!
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A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Unto the pit fleeth, none taketh hold on him.
18 The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.
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Whoso is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falleth at once.
19 A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
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Whoso is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.
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A stedfast man hath multiplied blessings, And whoso is hasting to be rich is not acquitted.
21 Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.
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To discern faces is not good, And for a piece of bread doth a man transgress.
22 Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.
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Troubled for wealth [is] the man [with] an evil eye, And he knoweth not that want doth meet him.
23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.
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Whoso is reproving a man afterwards findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother and says, “What’s wrong with that?” is no better than a murderer.
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Whoso is robbing his father, or his mother, And is saying, `It is not transgression,' A companion he is to a destroyer.
25 Greed causes fighting; trusting the LORD leads to prosperity.
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Whoso is proud in soul stirreth up contention, And whoso is trusting on Jehovah is made fat.
26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
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Whoso is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoso is walking in wisdom is delivered.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
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Whoso is giving to the poor hath no lack, And whoso is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
28 When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.
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In the rising of the wicked a man is hidden, And in their destruction the righteous multiply!