International Standard Version | New International Version |
1The wicked flee, though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold like a lion. | 1The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. |
2When a land transgresses, it gains a succession of leaders, but with an understanding and knowledgeable man, its stability endures. | 2When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. |
3A poor man who oppresses the weak is like a rainstorm that destroys all the crops. | 3A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. |
4Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked, but whoever keeps it fights them. | 4Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. |
5Evil men don't understand justice, but whoever seeks the LORD understands it all. | 5Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. |
6It's better to be poor and live a blameless life than to be rich but crooked in one's lifestyle. | 6Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. |
7Whoever keeps the Law is a discerning son, but whoever keeps company with gluttons brings shame to his father. | 7A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. |
8Whoever gains wealth by charging exorbitant interest collects it for someone who is kind to the poor. | 8Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. |
9If someone quits listening to the Law even his prayer is detestable. | 9If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. |
10Whoever misleads the upright along an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good. | 10Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. |
11The rich man may be wise in his own opinion; but a discerning, poor man sees through him. | 11The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. |
12When the righteous are victorious, there is great glory, but when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. | 12When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding. |
13Whoever hides his transgressions will not succeed, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will find mercy. | 13Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. |
14Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into disaster. | 14Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. |
15A roaring lion and a charging bear— that's what a wicked tyrant is over poor people. | 15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. |
16A Commander-in-Chief who is a cruel oppressor lacks understanding, but whoever hates unjust gain will live longer. | 16A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign. |
17A guilty man tormented by bloodshed will be a lifelong fugitive; let no one support him. | 17Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back. |
18Whoever lives blamelessly will be delivered, but whoever is perverted will fall without warning. | 18The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit. |
19Whoever works his farmland will have abundant food, but whoever chases fantasies will become very poor. | 19Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. |
20The faithful man will prosper with blessings, but whoever is in a hurry to get rich will not escape punishment. | 20A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. |
21To show partiality isn't good, yet for a piece of bread the valiant will transgress. | 21To show partiality is not good-- yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread. |
22The miser is in a hurry to get wealthy, but he isn't aware that poverty will catch up with him. | 22The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them. |
23Whoever rebukes a man will later on find more favor than someone who flatters with his words. | 23Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue. |
24Whoever steals from his father or mother but claims, "It's no sin," is a companion to someone who demolishes. | 24Whoever robs their father or mother and says, "It's not wrong," is partner to one who destroys. |
25An arrogant man stirs up dissension, but anyone who trusts in the LORD prospers. | 25The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper. |
26Whoever trusts in himself is foolish, but whoever lives wisely will be kept safe. | 26Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. |
27Whoever gives to the poor will never lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to their poverty will be cursed. | 27Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. |
28When the wicked rise to power, people hide themselves, but when the wicked perish, the righteous increase. | 28When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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