The Righteous Are Bold as a Lion

28 The (A)wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.

Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge
Right will be prolonged.

(B)A poor man who oppresses the poor
Is like a driving rain [a]which leaves no food.

(C)Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
(D)But such as keep the law contend with them.

(E)Evil men do not understand justice,
But (F)those who seek the Lord understand all.

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.

One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.

One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
(G)Even his prayer is an abomination.

10 (H)Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He himself will fall into his own pit;
(I)But the blameless will inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.

12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great (J)glory;
But when the wicked arise, men [b]hide themselves.

13 (K)He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

14 Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15 (L)Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
(M)Is a wicked ruler over poor people.

16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great (N)oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.

17 (O)A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;
Let no one help him.

18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be [c]saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

19 (P)He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
(Q)But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 (R)To [d]show partiality is not good,
(S)Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider that (T)poverty will come upon him.

23 (U)He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.

24 Whoever robs his father or his mother,
And says, “It is no transgression,”
The same (V)is companion to a destroyer.

25 (W)He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
(X)But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

26 He who (Y)trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

27 (Z)He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

28 When the wicked arise, (AA)men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.

Happy Is He Who Keeps the Law

29 He(AB) who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

When the righteous [e]are in authority, the (AC)people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, (AD)the people groan.

Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.

The king establishes the land by justice,
But he who receives bribes overthrows it.

A man who (AE)flatters his neighbor
Spreads a net for his feet.

By transgression an evil man is snared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.

The righteous (AF)considers the cause of the poor,
But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.

Scoffers (AG)set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath.

If a wise man contends with a foolish man,
(AH)Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.

10 (AI)The bloodthirsty hate the blameless,
But the upright seek his [f]well-being.

11 A fool vents all his (AJ)feelings,[g]
But a wise man holds them back.

12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
All his servants become wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
(AK)The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

14 The king who judges the (AL)poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.

15 The rod and rebuke give (AM)wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their (AN)fall.

17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
Yes, he will give delight to your soul.

18 (AO)Where there is no [h]revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But (AP)happy is he who keeps the law.

19 A servant will not be corrected by mere words;
For though he understands, he will not respond.

20 Do you see a man hasty in his words?
(AQ)There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21 He who pampers his servant from childhood
Will have him as a son in the end.

22 (AR)An angry man stirs up strife,
And a furious man abounds in transgression.

23 (AS)A man’s pride will bring him low,
But the humble in spirit will retain honor.

24 Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
(AT)He [i]swears to tell the truth, but reveals nothing.

25 (AU)The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be [j]safe.

26 (AV)Many seek the ruler’s [k]favor,
But justice for man comes from the Lord.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Lit. and there is no bread
  2. Proverbs 28:12 Lit. will be searched for
  3. Proverbs 28:18 delivered
  4. Proverbs 28:21 Lit. recognize faces
  5. Proverbs 29:2 become great
  6. Proverbs 29:10 Lit. soul or life
  7. Proverbs 29:11 Lit. spirit
  8. Proverbs 29:18 prophetic vision
  9. Proverbs 29:24 Lit. hears the adjuration or oath
  10. Proverbs 29:25 secure, lit. set on high
  11. Proverbs 29:26 Lit. face

28 The wicked flee(A) though no one pursues,(B)
    but the righteous are as bold as a lion.(C)

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
    but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
    but those who heed it resist them.

Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than the rich whose ways are perverse.(D)

A discerning son heeds instruction,
    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.(E)

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest(F) or profit from the poor
    amasses it for another,(G) who will be kind to the poor.(H)

If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
    even their prayers are detestable.(I)

10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,(J)
    but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;
    one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;(K)
    but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.(L)

13 Whoever conceals their sins(M) does not prosper,
    but the one who confesses(N) and renounces them finds mercy.(O)

14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
    but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
    is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

16 A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,
    but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.

17 Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder
    will seek refuge(P) in the grave;
    let no one hold them back.

18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,(Q)
    but the one whose ways are perverse will fall(R) into the pit.[b]

19 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.(S)

20 A faithful person will be richly blessed,
    but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.(T)

21 To show partiality(U) is not good(V)
    yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.(W)

22 The stingy are eager to get rich
    and are unaware that poverty awaits them.(X)

23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
    rather than one who has a flattering tongue.(Y)

24 Whoever robs their father or mother(Z)
    and says, “It’s not wrong,”
    is partner to one who destroys.(AA)

25 The greedy stir up conflict,(AB)
    but those who trust in the Lord(AC) will prosper.

26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,(AD)
    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.(AE)

27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,(AF)
    but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.(AG)

28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;(AH)
    but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

29 Whoever remains stiff-necked(AI) after many rebukes
    will suddenly be destroyed(AJ)—without remedy.(AK)

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;(AL)
    when the wicked rule,(AM) the people groan.(AN)

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,(AO)
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.(AP)

By justice a king gives a country stability,(AQ)
    but those who are greedy for[c] bribes tear it down.

Those who flatter their neighbors
    are spreading nets for their feet.(AR)

Evildoers are snared by their own sin,(AS)
    but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

The righteous care about justice for the poor,(AT)
    but the wicked have no such concern.

Mockers stir up a city,
    but the wise turn away anger.(AU)

If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
    the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity
    and seek to kill the upright.(AV)

11 Fools give full vent to their rage,(AW)
    but the wise bring calm in the end.(AX)

12 If a ruler(AY) listens to lies,
    all his officials become wicked.(AZ)

13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
    The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.(BA)

14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,
    his throne will be established forever.(BB)

15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
    but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.(BC)

16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
    but the righteous will see their downfall.(BD)

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
    they will bring you the delights you desire.(BE)

18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
    but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.(BF)

19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;
    though they understand, they will not respond.

20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.(BG)

21 A servant pampered from youth
    will turn out to be insolent.

22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
    and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.(BH)

23 Pride brings a person low,(BI)
    but the lowly in spirit gain honor.(BJ)

24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
    they are put under oath and dare not testify.(BK)

25 Fear(BL) of man will prove to be a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord(BM) is kept safe.(BN)

26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,(BO)
    but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.(BP)

27 The righteous detest the dishonest;
    the wicked detest the upright.(BQ)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person
  2. Proverbs 28:18 Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one
  3. Proverbs 29:4 Or who give

Urgent Prayer for the Restored Favor of God(A)

To the Chief Musician. (B)Set to [a]“Lily of the Testimony.” A Michtam of David. For teaching. (C)When he fought against Mesopotamia and Syria of Zobah, and Joab returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

60 O God, (D)You have cast us off;
You have broken us down;
You have been displeased;
Oh, restore us again!
You have made the earth tremble;
You have broken it;
(E)Heal its breaches, for it is shaking.
(F)You have shown Your people hard things;
(G)You have made us drink the wine of [b]confusion.

(H)You have given a banner to those who fear You,
That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah
(I)That Your beloved may be delivered,
Save with Your right hand, and hear me.

God has (J)spoken in His holiness:
“I will rejoice;
I will (K)divide (L)Shechem
And measure out (M)the Valley of Succoth.
Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine;
(N)Ephraim also is the [c]helmet for My head;
(O)Judah is My lawgiver.
(P)Moab is My washpot;
(Q)Over Edom I will cast My shoe;
(R)Philistia, shout in triumph because of Me.”

Who will bring me to the strong city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Is it not You, O God, (S)who cast us off?
And You, O God, who did (T)not go out with our armies?
11 Give us help from trouble,
(U)For the help of man is useless.
12 Through God (V)we will do valiantly,
For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 60:1 Heb. Shushan Eduth
  2. Psalm 60:3 staggering
  3. Psalm 60:7 Lit. protection

Psalm 60[a](A)

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam[b] of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim[c] and Aram Zobah,[d] and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.(B)

You have rejected us,(C) God, and burst upon us;
    you have been angry(D)—now restore us!(E)
You have shaken the land(F) and torn it open;
    mend its fractures,(G) for it is quaking.
You have shown your people desperate times;(H)
    you have given us wine that makes us stagger.(I)
But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner(J)
    to be unfurled against the bow.[e]

Save us and help us with your right hand,(K)
    that those you love(L) may be delivered.
God has spoken from his sanctuary:
    “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem(M)
    and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.(N)
Gilead(O) is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
    Ephraim(P) is my helmet,
    Judah(Q) is my scepter.(R)
Moab is my washbasin,
    on Edom I toss my sandal;
    over Philistia I shout in triumph.(S)

Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us
    and no longer go out with our armies?(T)
11 Give us aid against the enemy,
    for human help is worthless.(U)
12 With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down our enemies.(V)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 60:1 In Hebrew texts 60:1-12 is numbered 60:3-14.
  2. Psalm 60:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 60:1 Title: That is, Arameans of Northwest Mesopotamia
  4. Psalm 60:1 Title: That is, Arameans of central Syria
  5. Psalm 60:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

Sister Phoebe Commended

16 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in (A)Cenchrea, (B)that you may receive her in the Lord (C)in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

Greeting Roman Saints

Greet (D)Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet (E)the church that is in their house.

Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is (F)the firstfruits of [a]Achaia to Christ. Greet Mary, who labored much for us. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the (G)apostles, who also (H)were in Christ before me.

Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my [b]countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, (I)chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

16 (J)Greet one another with a holy kiss. [c]The churches of Christ greet you.

Avoid Divisive Persons

17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those (K)who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and (L)avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord [d]Jesus Christ, but (M)their own belly, and (N)by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For (O)your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be (P)wise in what is good, and [e]simple concerning evil. 20 And (Q)the God of peace (R)will crush Satan under your feet shortly.

(S)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Greetings from Paul’s Friends

21 (T)Timothy, my fellow worker, and (U)Lucius, (V)Jason, and (W)Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.

22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.

23 (X)Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. (Y)Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. 24 (Z)The[f] grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Benediction

25 [g]Now (AA)to Him who is able to establish you (AB)according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (AC)according to the revelation of the mystery (AD)kept secret since the world began 26 but (AE)now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for (AF)obedience to the faith— 27 to (AG)God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 16:5 NU Asia
  2. Romans 16:11 Or relative
  3. Romans 16:16 NU All the churches
  4. Romans 16:18 NU, M omit Jesus
  5. Romans 16:19 innocent
  6. Romans 16:24 NU omits v. 24.
  7. Romans 16:25 M puts Rom. 16:25–27 after Rom. 14:23.

Personal Greetings

16 I commend(A) to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a][b] of the church in Cenchreae.(B) I ask you to receive her in the Lord(C) in a way worthy of his people(D) and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

Greet Priscilla[c] and Aquila,(E) my co-workers(F) in Christ Jesus.(G) They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

Greet also the church that meets at their house.(H)

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert(I) to Christ in the province of Asia.(J)

Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews(K) who have been in prison with me.(L) They are outstanding among[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ(M) before I was.

Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.

Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ,(N) and my dear friend Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.(O)

Greet those who belong to the household(P) of Aristobulus.

11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.(Q)

Greet those in the household(R) of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.

Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

13 Greet Rufus,(S) chosen(T) in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.

15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people(U) who are with them.(V)

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.(W)

All the churches of Christ send greetings.

17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.(X) Keep away from them.(Y) 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ,(Z) but their own appetites.(AA) By smooth talk and flattery they deceive(AB) the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard(AC) about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.(AD)

20 The God of peace(AE) will soon crush(AF) Satan(AG) under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.(AH)

21 Timothy,(AI) my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius,(AJ) Jason(AK) and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.(AL)

22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius,(AM) whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.

Erastus,(AN) who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. [24] [e]

25 Now to him who is able(AO) to establish you in accordance with my gospel,(AP) the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery(AQ) hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings(AR) by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from[f] faith(AS) 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.(AT)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 16:1 Or servant
  2. Romans 16:1 The word deacon refers here to a Christian designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Phil. 1:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.
  3. Romans 16:3 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
  4. Romans 16:7 Or are esteemed by
  5. Romans 16:24 Some manuscripts include here May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen.
  6. Romans 16:26 Or that is