| New American Standard Bible 1995 | New Living Translation |
| 1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. | 1The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. |
| 2By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures. | 2When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. |
| 3A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. | 3A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops. |
| 4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them. | 4To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them. |
| 5Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all things. | 5Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand completely. |
| 6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked though he be rich. | 6Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. |
| 7He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. | 7Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents. |
| 8He who increases his wealth by interest and usury Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor. | 8Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor. |
| 9He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. | 9God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. |
| 10He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good. | 10Those who lead good people along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things. |
| 11The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him. | 11Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them. |
| 12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. | 12When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. |
| 13He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. | 13People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. |
| 14How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. | 14Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. |
| 15Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people. | 15A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or an attacking bear. |
| 16A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. | 16A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will have a long life. |
| 17A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him. | 17A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him! |
| 18He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, But he who is crooked will fall all at once. | 18The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed. |
| 19He who tills his land will have plenty of food, But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty. | 19A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty. |
| 20A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. | 20The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble. |
| 21To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. | 21Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread. |
| 22A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him. | 22Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty. |
| 23He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue. | 23In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery. |
| 24He who robs his father or his mother And says, "It is not a transgression," Is the companion of a man who destroys. | 24Anyone who steals from his father and mother and says, “What’s wrong with that?” is no better than a murderer. |
| 25An arrogant man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. | 25Greed causes fighting; trusting the LORD leads to prosperity. |
| 26He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered. | 26Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. |
| 27He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses. | 27Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. |
| 28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase. | 28When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish. |
| New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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