| King James Version (KJV) | New International Version (NIV) |
| 1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. | 1 The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. |
| 2 When pride cometh , then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. | 2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. |
| 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. | 3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. |
| 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. | 4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. |
| 5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. | 5 The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. |
| 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. | 6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. |
| 7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish : and the hope of unjust men perisheth . | 7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing. |
| 8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. | 8 The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. |
| 9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered . | 9 With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape. |
| 10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth : and when the wicked perish , there is shouting. | 10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. |
| 11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted : but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. | 11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. |
| 12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace . | 12 A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. |
| 13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. | 13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. |
| 14 Where no counsel is, the people fall : but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. | 14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. |
| 15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure . | 15 He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe. |
| 16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. | 16 A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. |
| 17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. | 17 A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. |
| 18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. | 18 The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. |
| 19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. | 19 The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death. |
| 20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. | 20 The LORD detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless. |
| 21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished : but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered . | 21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. |
| 22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. | 22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. |
| 23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. | 23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. |
| 24 There is that scattereth , and yet increaseth ; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. | 24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. |
| 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat : and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. | 25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. |
| 26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. | 26 People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. |
| 27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. | 27 He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. |
| 28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall : but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. | 28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. |
| 29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. | 29 He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. |
| 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. | 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. |
| 31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner . | 31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner! |
| The King James Version is in the public domain. (The King James Bible Version Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |