34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.(A)

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34 Godliness makes a nation great,
    but sin is a disgrace to any people.

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The house of the righteous has great wealth,
but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.

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There is treasure in the house of the godly,
    but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.

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The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.(A)

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The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
    but he loves those who pursue godliness.

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When a person’s ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.(A)

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When people’s lives please the Lord,
    even their enemies are at peace with them.

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13 If anyone returns evil for good,(A)
evil will never depart from his house.(B)

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13 If you repay good with evil,
    evil will never leave your house.

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When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes,
and along with dishonor, derision.

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Doing wrong leads to disgrace,
    and scandalous behavior brings contempt.

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A person’s own foolishness leads him astray,
yet his heart rages against the Lord.(A)

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People ruin their lives by their own foolishness
    and then are angry at the Lord.

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19 A person with intense anger bears the penalty;
if you rescue him, you’ll have to do it again.(A)

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19 Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty.
    If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.

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29 Judgments are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.(A)

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29 Punishment is made for mockers,
    and the backs of fools are made to be beaten.

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A righteous person acts with integrity;(A)
his children who come after him will be happy.(B)

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The godly walk with integrity;
    blessed are their children who follow them.

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The violence of the wicked sweeps them away
because they refuse to act justly.

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The violence of the wicked sweeps them away,
    because they refuse to do what is just.

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12 The Righteous One[a] considers the house of the wicked;
he brings the wicked to ruin.

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Footnotes

  1. 21:12 Or righteous one

12 The Righteous One[a] knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked;
    he will bring disaster on them.

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Footnotes

  1. 21:12 Or The righteous man.