King James Bible | New Living Translation |
1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. | 1Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool. |
2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. | 2Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes. |
3The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. | 3People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD. |
4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. | 4Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them all away. |
5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. | 5A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape. |
6Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. | 6Many seek favors from a ruler; everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts! |
7All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. | 7The relatives of the poor despise them; how much more will their friends avoid them! Though the poor plead with them, their friends are gone. |
8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. | 8To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper. |
9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. | 9A false witness will not go unpunished, and a liar will be destroyed. |
10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. | 10It isn’t right for a fool to live in luxury or for a slave to rule over princes! |
11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. | 11Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. |
12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. | 12The king’s anger is like a lion’s roar, but his favor is like dew on the grass. |
13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. | 13A foolish child is a calamity to a father; a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping. |
14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. | 14Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the LORD can give an understanding wife. |
15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. | 15Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry. |
16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. | 16Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death. |
17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. | 17If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD— and he will repay you! |
18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. | 18Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives. |
19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. | 19Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again. |
20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. | 20Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. |
21There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. | 21You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail. |
22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. | 22Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. |
23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. | 23Fear of the LORD leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm. |
24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. | 24Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth. |
25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. | 25If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson; if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser. |
26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. | 26Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are an embarrassment and a public disgrace. |
27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. | 27If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will turn your back on knowledge. |
28An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. | 28A corrupt witness makes a mockery of justice; the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. |
29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. | 29Punishment is made for mockers, and the backs of fools are made to be beaten. |
King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
|