King James Version KJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
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 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 transgresses it has many rulers; but with men of understanding and knowledge its stability will long continue.
3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
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A poor man 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 strive against them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
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Evil men 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 is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways.
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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He who keeps the law is a wise son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
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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He who augments his wealth by interest and increase gathers it for him 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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If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is 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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He who misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit; 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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A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
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 rise, men hide themselves.
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
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He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he 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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Blessed is the man who fears the LORD always; but he who hardens his heart 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 he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
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 a man is burdened with the blood of another, let him be a fugitive until death; let no one help him.
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
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He who walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is perverse in his ways will fall into a 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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He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he 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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A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens 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; but for a piece of bread a man will 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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A miserly man hastens after wealth, and does not know that want will come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
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He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his 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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He who robs his father or his mother and says, "That is no transgression," is the companion of a man who destroys.
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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A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who 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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He who trusts in his own mind is a fool; but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
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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He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes 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 rise, men hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.