New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
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The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.
2 When a land rebels it has many rulers; but with an intelligent ruler there is lasting order.
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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 ruler who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.
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A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law struggle against 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 The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
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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 walk in integrity than to be crooked in one's ways even 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 Those who keep the law are wise children, but companions of gluttons shame their parents.
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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 One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest gathers it for another who is kind to 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 When one will not listen to the law, even one's prayers are 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 Those who mislead the upright into evil ways will fall into pits of their own making, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
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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 is wise in self-esteem, but an intelligent poor person sees through the pose.
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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 righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.
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When the upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.
13 No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
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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 is the one who is never without fear, but one who is hard-hearted will fall into calamity.
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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 charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
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Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor; but one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long 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 If someone is burdened with the blood of another, let that killer be a fugitive until death; let no one offer assistance.
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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 One who walks in integrity will be safe, but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.
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He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.
19 Anyone who tills the land will have plenty of bread, but one who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
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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 The faithful will abound with blessings, but one who is in a hurry to be 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— yet for a piece of bread a person may do wrong.
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It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.
22 The miser is in a hurry to get rich and does not know that loss is sure to come.
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He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.
23 Whoever rebukes a person will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
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He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.
24 Anyone who robs father or mother and says, "That is no crime," is partner to a thug.
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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 The greedy person stirs up strife, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
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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 Those who trust in their own wits are fools; but those who walk in wisdom come through safely.
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He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse.
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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 prevail, people go into hiding; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
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When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.
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.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.