| King James Bible | NET Bible |
| 1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. | 1The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing, but the righteous person is as confident 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 country is rebellious it has many princes, but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable order is maintained. |
| 3A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. | 3A poor person who oppresses the weak is like a driving rain without 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 contend with them. |
| 5Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. | 5Evil people do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it all. |
| 6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. | 6A poor person who walks in his integrity is better than one who is perverse in his ways even though he is rich. |
| 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 discerning child, but a companion of gluttons brings shame to his parents. |
| 8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. | 8The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest gathers it for someone who is gracious to the needy. |
| 9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. | 9The one who 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. | 10The one who leads the upright astray in an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good. |
| 11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. | 11A rich person is wise in his own eyes, but a discerning poor person can evaluate him properly. |
| 12When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. | 12When the righteous rejoice, great is the glory, but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out. |
| 13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. | 13The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy. |
| 14Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. | 14Blessed is the one who is always cautious, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into evil. |
| 15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. | 15Like a roaring lion or a roving bear, so 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. | 16The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom, but the one 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. | 17The one who is tormented by the murder of another will flee to the pit; let no one support him. |
| 18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. | 18The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered, but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall at once. |
| 19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. | 19The one who works his land will be satisfied with food, but whoever chases daydreams will have his fill of poverty. |
| 20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. | 20A faithful person will have an abundance of blessings, but the one who hastens to gain riches 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 terrible, for a person will transgress over the smallest piece of bread. |
| 22He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. | 22The stingy person hastens after riches and does not know that poverty will overtake him. |
| 23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. | 23The one who reproves another will in the end find more favor than the one who flatters with the tongue. |
| 24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer. | 24The one who robs his father and mother and says, "There is no transgression," is a companion to the one 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. | 25The greedy person stirs up dissension, but the one who trusts in the LORD will prosper. |
| 26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. | 26The one who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but the one who walks in wisdom will escape. |
| 27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. | 27The one who gives to the poor will not lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses. |
| 28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase. | 28When the wicked gain control, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase. |
|
    |