| Holman Christian Standard Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. | 1The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. |
| 2When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures. | 2When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue. |
| 3A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food. | 3A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food. |
| 4Those who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law battle against them. | 4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. |
| 5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand everything. | 5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely. |
| 6Better a poor man who lives with integrity than a rich man who distorts right and wrong. | 6Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. |
| 7A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. | 7The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father. |
| 8Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest collects it for one who is kind to the poor. | 8Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor. |
| 9Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law-- even his prayer is detestable. | 9If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. |
| 10The one who leads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good. | 10Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance. |
| 11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him. | 11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out. |
| 12When the righteous triumph, there is great rejoicing, but when the wicked come to power, people hide themselves. | 12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves. |
| 13The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. | 13Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. |
| 14Happy is the one who is always reverent, but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble. | 14Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. |
| 15A wicked ruler over a helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear. | 15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. |
| 16A leader who lacks understanding is very oppressive, but one who hates dishonest profit prolongs his life. | 16A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. |
| 17A man burdened by bloodguilt will be a fugitive until death. Let no one help him. | 17If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death; let no one help him. |
| 18The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall. | 18Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall. |
| 19The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. | 19Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. |
| 20A faithful man will have many blessings, but one in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished. | 20A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. |
| 21It is not good to show partiality-- yet a man may sin for a piece of bread. | 21To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong. |
| 22A greedy man is in a hurry for wealth; he doesn't know that poverty will come to him. | 22A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him. |
| 23One who rebukes a person will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue. | 23Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue. |
| 24The one who robs his father or mother and says, "That's no sin," is a companion to a man who destroys. | 24Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “That is no transgression,” is a companion to a man who destroys. |
| 25A greedy person provokes conflict, but whoever trusts in the LORD will prosper. | 25A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched. |
| 26The one who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. | 26Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. |
| 27The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses. | 27Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. |
| 28When the wicked come to power, people hide, but when they are destroyed, the righteous flourish. | 28When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase. |
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