The Boldness of the Righteous 1 UST 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 UST When the people in a country sin, they will continually have{ new} leaders; but when they have a truly knowledgeable ruler, then they will have a{ stable} government that will last. BSB BSB: A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
3 UST A poor person who oppresses other poor people is{ as destructive as} rain that washes away{ the crops}, leaving nothing to eat. BSB BSB: A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
4 UST 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 UST 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 UST It is better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. BSB BSB: Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
7 UST Young people who obey{ Yahweh’ s} laws are wise, but young people who carouse with gluttons disgrace their fathers. BSB BSB: A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8 UST Money that people gain by charging an unreasonably large amount of interest{ from those to whom they loan money} will{ eventually} belong to someone who is 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 UST Yahweh detests hearing prayers from people who refuse to obey his laws. BSB BSB: Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
10 UST 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 UST Rich people tend to think that they are wise, but perceptive poor people can tell whether or not this is true. BSB BSB: A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
12 UST 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 UST 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 UST People who constantly examine how they are thinking and behaving are happy, but bad things will happen to people who become uncaring about those things. BSB BSB: Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 UST 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 UST Leaders who are not sensible 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 UST 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 UST Yahweh will rescue people who continually do what is right, but people who behave dishonestly will ruin themselves in the end. BSB BSB: He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 UST 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 UST 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 UST Although it is very evil to unfairly favor one person over another, some people will sin{ by doing so} to get even a small bribe. BSB BSB: To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 UST People who are eager to become rich are greedy. 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 UST Afterward, people appreciate someone who has corrected them more than{ they appreciate} someone who has spoken flatteringly{ to them}. BSB BSB: He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
24 UST People who rob their parents and say that doing so is not wrong are as bad as thieves. BSB BSB: He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.
25 UST 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 UST People who trust in 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 UST People who give poor people{ what they need} will have all that they need, but there are many who will curse 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 UST 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.