Bible Reading Plan

¹ The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,^(a)
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.^(b)

² When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,^(c)
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.

³ A destitute leader^[a] who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food.^(d)

⁴ Those who reject the law praise the wicked,^(e)
but those who keep the law battle against them.^(f)

⁵ Evil men do not understand justice,^(g)
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.^(h)

⁶ Better a poor man who lives with integrity⁽ⁱ⁾
than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.^[b](j)

⁷ A discerning son keeps the law,
but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.^(k)

⁸ Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest^(l)
collects it for one who is kind to the poor.^(m)

⁹ Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law—
even his prayer is detestable.⁽ⁿ⁾

¹⁰ The one who leads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,^(o)
but the blameless will inherit what is good.^(p)

¹¹ A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.

¹² When the righteous triumph,
there is great rejoicing,^[c]
but when the wicked come to power,
people hide themselves.^(q)

¹³ The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper,^(r)
but whoever confesses and renounces them
will find mercy.^(s)

¹⁴ Happy is the one who is always reverent,^(t)
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.^(u)

¹⁵ A wicked ruler over a helpless people^(v)
is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.^(w)

¹⁶ A leader who lacks understanding
is very oppressive,
but one who hates dishonest profit
prolongs his life.^(x)

¹⁷ A man burdened by bloodguilt^[d]
will be a fugitive until death.^(y)
Let no one help him.^(z)

¹⁸ The one who lives with integrity will be helped,
but one who distorts right and wrong^[e]
will suddenly fall.^(aa)

¹⁹ The one who works his land
will have plenty of food,^(ab)
but whoever chases fantasies
will have his fill of poverty.^(ac)

²⁰ A faithful man will have many blessings,^(ad)
but one in a hurry to get rich^(ae)
will not go unpunished.

²¹ It is not good to show partiality^(af)—
yet a man may sin for a piece of bread.^(ag)

²² A greedy man^[f] is in a hurry for wealth;
he doesn't know that poverty will come to him.^(ah)

²³ One who rebukes a person will later find more favor^(ai)
than one who flatters^[g] with his tongue.^(aj)

²⁴ The one who robs his father or mother^(ak)
and says, "That's no sin,"^(al)
is a companion to a man who destroys.^(am)

²⁵ A greedy person provokes conflict,^(an)
but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.^(ao)

²⁶ The one who trusts in himself^[h] is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.^(ap)

²⁷ The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away^[i]
will receive many curses.^(aq)

²⁸ When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish.^(ar)