King James Version KJV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: 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 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
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When a land rebels it has many rulers; but with an intelligent ruler there is lasting order.
3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
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A ruler who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
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Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law struggle against them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
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The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
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Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in one's ways even though rich.
7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
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Those who keep the law are wise children, but companions of gluttons shame their parents.
8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
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One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
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When one will not listen to the law, even one's prayers are an abomination.
10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
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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 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
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The rich is wise in self-esteem, but an intelligent poor person sees through the pose.
12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
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When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
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No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
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Happy is the one who is never without fear, but one who is hard-hearted will fall into calamity.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
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Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
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A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor; but one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life.
17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
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If someone is burdened with the blood of another, let that killer be a fugitive until death; let no one offer assistance.
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
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One who walks in integrity will be safe, but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.
19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
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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 shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
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The faithful will abound with blessings, but one who is in a hurry to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
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To show partiality is not good— yet for a piece of bread a person may do wrong.
22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
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The miser is in a hurry to get rich and does not know that loss is sure to come.
23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
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Whoever rebukes a person will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
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Anyone who robs father or mother and says, "That is no crime," is partner to a thug.
25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
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The greedy person stirs up strife, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
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Those who trust in their own wits are fools; but those who walk in wisdom come through safely.
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
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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, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
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When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
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.