King James Version KJV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
1
One who is often reproved, yet remains stubborn, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
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A child who loves wisdom makes a parent glad, but to keep company with prostitutes is to squander one's substance.
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
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By justice a king gives stability to the land, but one who makes heavy exactions ruins it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
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Whoever flatters a neighbor is spreading a net for the neighbor's feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
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In the transgression of the evil there is a snare, but the righteous sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
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The righteous know the rights of the poor; the wicked have no such understanding.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
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Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
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If the wise go to law with fools, there is ranting and ridicule without relief.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
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The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, and they seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
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A fool gives full vent to anger, but the wise quietly holds it back.
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
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If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
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The poor and the oppressor have this in common: the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
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If a king judges the poor with equity, his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
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The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by a neglected child.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
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When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
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Discipline your children, and they will give you rest; they will give delight to your heart.
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
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Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint, but happy are those who keep the law.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
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By mere words servants are not disciplined, for though they understand, they will not give heed.
20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
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Do you see someone who is hasty in speech? There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that.
21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
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A slave pampered from childhood will come to a bad end.
22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
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One given to anger stirs up strife, and the hothead causes much transgression.
23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
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A person's pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
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To be a partner of a thief is to hate one's own life; one hears the victim's curse, but discloses nothing.
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
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The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in the Lord is secure.
26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
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Many seek the favor of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
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The unjust are an abomination to the righteous, but the upright are an abomination to the wicked.
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.