New International Version NIV
New International Reader's Version NIRV
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
1
You should want a good name more than you want great riches. To be highly respected is better than having silver or gold.
2 Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.
2
The LORD made rich people and poor people. That's what they have in common.
3 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
3
Wise people see danger and go to a safe place. But childish people keep going and suffer for it.
4 Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.
4
Have respect for the LORD and don't be proud. That will bring you wealth and honor and life.
5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.
5
Thorns and traps lie in the paths of evil people. But those who guard themselves stay far away from them.
6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
6
Train a child in the way he should go. When he is old, he will not turn away from it.
7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
7
Rich people rule over those who are poor. Borrowers are slaves to lenders.
8 Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
8
Anyone who plants evil gathers a harvest of trouble. His power to beat others down will be destroyed.
9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
9
Anyone who gives freely will be blessed. That's because he shares his food with those who are poor.
10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.
10
If you drive away those who make fun of others, fighting also goes away. Arguing and unkind words will stop.
11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.
11
Have a pure and loving heart, and speak kindly. Then you will be a friend of the king.
12 The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
12
The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge. But he does away with the words of those who aren't faithful.
13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!”
13
People who don't want to work say, "There's a lion outside!" Or they say, "I'll be murdered if I go out into the streets!"
14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the LORD’s wrath falls into it.
14
The mouth of a woman who commits adultery is like a deep pit. Any man the LORD is angry with will fall into it.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.
15
A child is going to do foolish things. But correcting him will drive his foolishness far away from him.
16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
16
One person may beat poor people down in order to get rich. Another person may give gifts to rich people. Both of them will become poor.
17 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
17
Pay attention and listen to the sayings of those who are wise. Apply your heart to the sayings I teach.
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.
18
It is pleasing when you keep them in your heart. Have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.
19
You are the one I am teaching today. I want you to trust in the Lord.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,
20
I have written 30 sayings for you. They will give you knowledge and good advice.
21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve?
21
I am teaching you words that are completely true. Then you can give the right answers to the one who sent you.
22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,
22
Don't take advantage of poor people just because they are poor. Don't beat down those who are in need by taking them to court.
23 for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life.
23
The LORD will stand up for them in court. He will take back the stolen goods from those who have robbed them.
24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,
24
Don't be a friend with anyone who burns with anger. Don't go around with a person who gets angry easily.
25 or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
25
You might learn his habits. And then you will be trapped by them.
26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;
26
Don't agree to pay for what someone else owes.
27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.
27
Don't put up money for him. If you don't have the money to pay, your bed will be taken right out from under you!
28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.
28
Don't move old boundary stones that your people set up long ago.
29 Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.
29
Do you see a man who does good work? He will serve kings. He won't serve ordinary people.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.