1 Sinners run away even when no one is chasing them.
But those who do what is right are as bold as lions.
2 A country has many rulers when its people don’t obey.
But an understanding ruler knows how to keep order.
3 A ruler who treats poor people badly
is like a pounding rain that leaves no crops.
4 Those who turn away from instruction praise sinners.
But those who learn from it oppose them.
5 Sinful people don’t understand what is right.
But those who worship the LORD understand it completely.
6 It is better to be poor and live without blame
than to be rich and follow a crooked path.
7 A child who understands what is right learns from instruction.
But a child who likes to eat too much brings shame on his father.
8 Someone might get rich by taking interest or profit from poor people.
But that person only piles up wealth for someone who will be kind to poor people.
9 If you don’t pay attention to my instruction,
even your prayers are hated.
10 Those who lead honest people down an evil path
will fall into their own trap.
But those who are without blame
will receive good things.
11 Rich people may think they are wise.
But a poor person with understanding knows that rich people are fooling themselves.
12 When godly people win, everyone is very happy.
But when sinners take charge, everyone hides.
13 Anyone who hides their sins doesn’t succeed.
But anyone who admits their sins and gives them up finds mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who always trembles in front of God.
But anyone who makes their heart stubborn will get into trouble.
15 An evil person who rules over helpless people
is like a roaring lion or an angry bear.
16 A ruler who is mean to his people takes money from them by force.
But one who hates money gained in the wrong way will rule a long time.
17 Anyone troubled by the guilt of murder
will seek to escape their guilt by death.
No one should keep them from it.
18 Anyone who lives without blame is kept safe.
But anyone whose path is crooked will fall into the pit.
19 Those who work their land will have plenty of food.
But those who chase dreams will be very poor.
20 A faithful person will be richly blessed.
But anyone who wants to get rich will be punished.
21 Favoring one person over another is not good.
But a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 Those who won’t share what they have want to get rich.
They don’t know they are going to be poor.
23 It is better to warn a person than to pretend to praise them.
In the end that person will be more pleased with you.
24 Anyone who steals from their parents and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is just like someone who destroys.
25 People who always want more stir up conflict.
But those who trust in the LORD will succeed.
26 Those who trust in themselves are foolish.
But those who live wisely are kept safe.
27 Those who give to poor people will have all they need.
But those who close their eyes to the poor will receive many curses.
28 When those who are evil take charge, other people hide.
But when those who are evil die, godly people grow stronger.
(NIRV) Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Click here for more copyright information.