1 ARST Wicked people run away even though no one is chasing them, but righteous people are as brave as lions. BSB BSB: The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 ARST When the people in a country sin, they have many leaders; but when they have a truly knowledgeable ruler, they will last. BSB BSB: A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
3 ARST Poor people who oppress other poor people are{ as destructive as} rain that destroys all the crops, so that there is nothing to eat. BSB BSB: A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
4 ARST People who reject{ Yahweh’ s} laws say good things about wicked people; but people who obey those laws oppose such wicked people. BSB BSB: Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
5 ARST Evil people cannot comprehend what is just, but people who desire to please Yahweh comprehend everything about it. BSB BSB: Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.
6 ARST It is better to be poor and act honestly than to act dishonestly and be rich. BSB BSB: Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
7 ARST People who obey{ Yahweh’ s} laws are discerning children, but people who befriend gluttons disgrace their fathers. BSB BSB: A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8 ARST People who become wealthy by charging an unreasonably large amount of interest{ from those to whom they loan money}{ unknowingly} collect that wealth to give it to people who are kind to poor people. BSB BSB: He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
9 ARST Yahweh detests what people pray if those people refuse to even listen to his laws. BSB BSB: Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
10 ARST People who guide upright people to act evilly will destroy themselves by what they do, but people whom Yahweh does not blame{ for acting wickedly} will receive what is good. BSB BSB: He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.
11 ARST Rich people may{ wrongly} think that they are wise, but discerning poor people will prove that those people are not{ wise}. BSB BSB: A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
12 ARST People celebrate when righteous people become powerful, but people hide when wicked people become powerful. BSB BSB: When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 ARST People who{ try to} hide the sinful things that they do will never be successful, but Yahweh will be merciful to people who confess the sinful things that they have done and stop doing them. BSB BSB: He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
14 ARST People who always reverently fear Yahweh are happy, but bad things happen to stubborn people. BSB BSB: Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 ARST Wicked people who rule over poor people are{ as dangerous as} a roaring lion or attacking bear. BSB BSB: Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16 ARST Leaders who are not understanding severely oppress{ other people},{ but} people who despise gaining wealth unjustly will live for a long time. BSB BSB: A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
17 ARST People who murder others will keep running away{ from those who would punish them} until they die. Do not help them! BSB BSB: A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
18 ARST Yahweh will rescue people whom he does not blame for how they act, but people who act dishonestly will suddenly ruin themselves. BSB BSB: He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 ARST People who work hard will have enough food{ to eat}, but people who waste time doing worthless things will only be poor. BSB BSB: The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 ARST Yahweh abundantly blesses faithful people, but he will certainly punish people who are eager to be wealthy. BSB BSB: A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 ARST Although it is very evil to favor someone, some people will sin{ by doing so} to get as little as a scrap of food. BSB BSB: To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 ARST Although people who are eager to become rich are stingy, they do not realize that they will become poor. BSB BSB: A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.
23 ARST People approve of someone who corrects them after that person does so more than{ they might approve of} someone who speaks flatteringly{ to them}. BSB BSB: He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
24 ARST People who rob their parents and say that doing so is not wrong are as bad as murderers. BSB BSB: He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.
25 ARST Greedy people cause people to argue with each other, but Yahweh will prosper people who trust him. BSB BSB: A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26 ARST People who trust themselves are foolish, but people who act wisely are the ones who will escape{ what is dangerous}. BSB BSB: He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
27 ARST People who give poor people{ what they need} will have all that they need, but Yahweh abundantly curses people who ignore poor people. BSB BSB: Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
28 ARST People hide when wicked people become powerful, but when those wicked people die, there will be more and more righteous people. BSB BSB: When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.