King James Version KJV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
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Better the poor walking in integrity than one perverse of speech who is a fool.
2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
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Desire without knowledge is not good, and one who moves too hurriedly misses the way.
3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
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One's own folly leads to ruin, yet the heart rages against the Lord.
4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
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Wealth brings many friends, but the poor are left friendless.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
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A false witness will not go unpunished, and a liar will not escape.
6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
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Many seek the favor of the generous, and everyone is a friend to a giver of gifts.
7 All 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.
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If the poor are hated even by their kin, how much more are they shunned by their friends! When they call after them, they are not there.
8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
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To get wisdom is to love oneself; to keep understanding is to prosper.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
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A false witness will not go unpunished, and the liar will perish.
10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
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It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
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Those with good sense are slow to anger, and it is their glory to overlook an offense.
12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
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A king's anger is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
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A stupid child is ruin to a father, and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.
14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
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House and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
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Laziness brings on deep sleep; an idle person will suffer hunger.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
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Those who keep the commandment will live; those who are heedless of their ways will die.
17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
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Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and will be repaid in full.
18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
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Discipline your children while there is hope; do not set your heart on their destruction.
19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
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A violent tempered person will pay the penalty; if you effect a rescue, you will only have to do it again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
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Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future.
21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
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The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.
22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
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What is desirable in a person is loyalty, and it is better to be poor than a liar.
23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
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The fear of the Lord is life indeed; filled with it one rests secure and suffers no harm.
24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
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The lazy person buries a hand in the dish, and will not even bring it back to the mouth.
25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
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Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove the intelligent, and they will gain knowledge.
26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
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Those who do violence to their father and chase away their mother are children who cause shame and bring reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
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Cease straying, my child, from the words of knowledge, in order that you may hear instruction.
28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
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A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
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Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and flogging for the backs of fools.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.