English Standard Version ESV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
1
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.
2
When a land rebels it has many rulers; but with an intelligent ruler there is lasting order.
3 A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.
3
A ruler who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.
4
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law struggle against them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
5
The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
6
Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in one's ways even though rich.
7 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
7
Those who keep the law are wise children, but companions of gluttons shame their parents.
8 Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
8
One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.
9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
9
When one will not listen to the law, even one's prayers are an abomination.
10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
10
Those who mislead the upright into evil ways will fall into pits of their own making, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
11
The rich is wise in self-esteem, but an intelligent poor person sees through the pose.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
12
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
13
No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
14
Happy is the one who is never without fear, but one who is hard-hearted will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
15
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
16
A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor; but one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life.
17 If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death; let no one help him.
17
If someone is burdened with the blood of another, let that killer be a fugitive until death; let no one offer assistance.
18 Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
18
One who walks in integrity will be safe, but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.
19 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
19
Anyone who tills the land will have plenty of bread, but one who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
20
The faithful will abound with blessings, but one who is in a hurry to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
21
To show partiality is not good— yet for a piece of bread a person may do wrong.
22 A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.
22
The miser is in a hurry to get rich and does not know that loss is sure to come.
23 Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.
23
Whoever rebukes a person will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “That is no transgression, ”is a companion to a man who destroys.
24
Anyone who robs father or mother and says, "That is no crime," is partner to a thug.
25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
25
The greedy person stirs up strife, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
26
Those who trust in their own wits are fools; but those who walk in wisdom come through safely.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
27
Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse.
28 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.
28
When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
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.