King James Bible

English Standard Version

1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

1The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

2When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.

3A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

3A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.

4They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.

5Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.

6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

6Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

7The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

8Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.

9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

9If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

10Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

10Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.

12When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

13Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

14Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

14Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

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

16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

16A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

17If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death; let no one help him.

18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

18Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

19Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

20A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

21To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

21To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

22He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

22A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.

23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

23Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.

24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

24Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “That is no transgression,” is a companion to a man who destroys.

25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

25A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.

26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

26Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

27Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

28When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.