| New Living Translation | NET Bible |
| 1The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. | 1The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing, but the righteous person is as confident as a lion. |
| 2When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. | 2When a country is rebellious it has many princes, but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable order is maintained. |
| 3A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops. | 3A poor person who oppresses the weak is like a driving rain without food. |
| 4To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them. | 4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law contend with them. |
| 5Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand completely. | 5Evil people do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it all. |
| 6Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. | 6A poor person who walks in his integrity is better than one who is perverse in his ways even though he is rich. |
| 7Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents. | 7The one who keeps the law is a discerning child, but a companion of gluttons brings shame to his parents. |
| 8Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor. | 8The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest gathers it for someone who is gracious to the needy. |
| 9God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. | 9The one who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. |
| 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 astray in an evil way will himself 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 discerning poor person can evaluate him properly. |
| 12When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. | 12When the righteous rejoice, great is the glory, but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out. |
| 13People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. | 13The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy. |
| 14Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. | 14Blessed is the one who is always cautious, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into evil. |
| 15A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or an attacking bear. | 15Like a roaring lion or a roving bear, so is a wicked ruler over a poor people. |
| 16A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will have a long life. | 16The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom, but the one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. |
| 17A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him! | 17The one who is tormented by the murder of another will flee to the pit; let no one support him. |
| 18The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed. | 18The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered, but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall at once. |
| 19A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty. | 19The one who works his land will be satisfied with food, but whoever chases daydreams 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 an abundance of blessings, but the one who hastens to gain riches will not go unpunished. |
| 21Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread. | 21To show partiality is terrible, for a person will transgress over the smallest piece of bread. |
| 22Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty. | 22The stingy person hastens after riches and does not know that poverty will overtake him. |
| 23In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery. | 23The one who reproves another will in the end find more favor than the one who flatters with the 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 and mother and says, "There is no transgression," is a companion to the one who destroys. |
| 25Greed causes fighting; trusting the LORD leads to prosperity. | 25The greedy person stirs up dissension, but the one who 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 his own heart is a fool, but the one who walks in wisdom will escape. |
| 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 lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses. |
| 28When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish. | 28When the wicked gain control, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase. |
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