New Living Translation | Christian Standard Bible |
1The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. | 1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. |
2When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. | 2When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures. |
3A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops. | 3A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food. |
4To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them. | 4Those who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law pit themselves against them. |
5Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand completely. | 5The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand everything. |
6Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. | 6Better the poor person who lives with integrity than the rich one who distorts right and wrong. |
7Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents. | 7A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. |
8Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor. | 8Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest collects it for one who is kind to the poor. |
9God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. | 9Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law--even his prayer is detestable. |
10Those who lead good people along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things. | 10The one who leads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good. |
11Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them. | 11A rich person is wise in his own eyes, but a poor one who has discernment sees through him. |
12When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. | 12When the righteous triumph, there is great rejoicing, but when the wicked come to power, people hide. |
13People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. | 13The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. |
14Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. | 14Happy is the one who is always reverent, but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble. |
15A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or an attacking bear. | 15A wicked ruler over a helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear. |
16A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will have a long life. | 16A leader who lacks understanding is very oppressive, but one who hates dishonest profit prolongs his life. |
17A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him! | 17Someone burdened by bloodguilt will be a fugitive until death. Let no one help him. |
18The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed. | 18The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall. |
19A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty. | 19The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. |
20The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble. | 20A faithful person will have many blessings, but one in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished. |
21Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread. | 21It is not good to show partiality--yet even a courageous person may sin for a piece of bread. |
22Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty. | 22A greedy one is in a hurry for wealth; he doesn't know that poverty will come to him. |
23In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery. | 23One who rebukes a person will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue. |
24Anyone who steals from his father and mother and says, “What’s wrong with that?” is no better than a murderer. | 24The one who robs his father or mother and says, "That's no sin," is a companion to a person who destroys. |
25Greed causes fighting; trusting the LORD leads to prosperity. | 25A greedy person stirs up conflict, but whoever trusts in the LORD will prosper. |
26Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. | 26The one who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. |
27Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. | 27The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses. |
28When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish. | 28When the wicked come to power, people hide, but when they are destroyed, the righteous flourish. |
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. | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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