| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1The wicked flee, though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold like a lion. | 1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. |
| 2When a land transgresses, it gains a succession of leaders, but with an understanding and knowledgeable man, its stability endures. | 2When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures. |
| 3A poor man who oppresses the weak is like a rainstorm that destroys all the crops. | 3A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food. |
| 4Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked, but whoever keeps it fights them. | 4Those who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law battle against them. |
| 5Evil men don't understand justice, but whoever seeks the LORD understands it all. | 5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand everything. |
| 6It's better to be poor and live a blameless life than to be rich but crooked in one's lifestyle. | 6Better a poor man who lives with integrity than a rich man who distorts right and wrong. |
| 7Whoever keeps the Law is a discerning son, but whoever keeps company with gluttons brings shame to his father. | 7A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. |
| 8Whoever gains wealth by charging exorbitant interest collects it for someone who is kind to the poor. | 8Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest collects it for one who is kind to the poor. |
| 9If someone quits listening to the Law even his prayer is detestable. | 9Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law-- even his prayer is detestable. |
| 10Whoever misleads the upright along an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good. | 10The one who leads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good. |
| 11The rich man may be wise in his own opinion; but a discerning, poor man sees through him. | 11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him. |
| 12When the righteous are victorious, there is great glory, but when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. | 12When the righteous triumph, there is great rejoicing, but when the wicked come to power, people hide themselves. |
| 13Whoever hides his transgressions will not succeed, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will find mercy. | 13The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. |
| 14Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into disaster. | 14Happy is the one who is always reverent, but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble. |
| 15A roaring lion and a charging bear— that's what a wicked tyrant is over poor people. | 15A wicked ruler over a helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear. |
| 16A Commander-in-Chief who is a cruel oppressor lacks understanding, but whoever hates unjust gain will live longer. | 16A leader who lacks understanding is very oppressive, but one who hates dishonest profit prolongs his life. |
| 17A guilty man tormented by bloodshed will be a lifelong fugitive; let no one support him. | 17A man burdened by bloodguilt will be a fugitive until death. Let no one help him. |
| 18Whoever lives blamelessly will be delivered, but whoever is perverted will fall without warning. | 18The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall. |
| 19Whoever works his farmland will have abundant food, but whoever chases fantasies will become very poor. | 19The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. |
| 20The faithful man will prosper with blessings, but whoever is in a hurry to get rich will not escape punishment. | 20A faithful man will have many blessings, but one in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished. |
| 21To show partiality isn't good, yet for a piece of bread the valiant will transgress. | 21It is not good to show partiality-- yet a man may sin for a piece of bread. |
| 22The miser is in a hurry to get wealthy, but he isn't aware that poverty will catch up with him. | 22A greedy man is in a hurry for wealth; he doesn't know that poverty will come to him. |
| 23Whoever rebukes a man will later on find more favor than someone who flatters with his words. | 23One who rebukes a person will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue. |
| 24Whoever steals from his father or mother but claims, "It's no sin," is a companion to someone who demolishes. | 24The one who robs his father or mother and says, "That's no sin," is a companion to a man who destroys. |
| 25An arrogant man stirs up dissension, but anyone who trusts in the LORD prospers. | 25A greedy person provokes conflict, but whoever trusts in the LORD will prosper. |
| 26Whoever trusts in himself is foolish, but whoever lives wisely will be kept safe. | 26The one who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. |
| 27Whoever gives to the poor will never lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to their poverty will be cursed. | 27The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses. |
| 28When the wicked rise to power, people hide themselves, but when the wicked perish, the righteous increase. | 28When the wicked come to power, people hide, but when they are destroyed, the righteous flourish. |
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