| King James Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. | 1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. |
| 2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. | 2When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures. |
| 3A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. | 3A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food. |
| 4They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. | 4Those who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law battle against them. |
| 5Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. | 5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand everything. |
| 6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. | 6Better a poor man who lives with integrity than a rich man who distorts right and wrong. |
| 7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. | 7A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. |
| 8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. | 8Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest collects it for one who is kind to the poor. |
| 9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. | 9Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law-- even his prayer is detestable. |
| 10Whoso 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. | 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 is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. | 11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him. |
| 12When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. | 12When the righteous triumph, there is great rejoicing, but when the wicked come to power, people hide themselves. |
| 13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. | 13The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. |
| 14Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. | 14Happy is the one who is always reverent, but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble. |
| 15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. | 15A wicked ruler over a helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear. |
| 16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. | 16A leader who lacks understanding is very oppressive, but one who hates dishonest profit prolongs his life. |
| 17A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. | 17A man burdened by bloodguilt will be a fugitive until death. Let no one help him. |
| 18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. | 18The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall. |
| 19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. | 19The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. |
| 20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. | 20A faithful man will have many blessings, but one in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished. |
| 21To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress. | 21It is not good to show partiality-- yet a man may sin for a piece of bread. |
| 22He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. | 22A greedy man is in a hurry for wealth; he doesn't know that poverty will come to him. |
| 23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. | 23One who rebukes a person will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue. |
| 24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer. | 24The one who robs his father or mother and says, "That's no sin," is a companion to a man who destroys. |
| 25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. | 25A greedy person provokes conflict, but whoever trusts in the LORD will prosper. |
| 26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. | 26The one who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. |
| 27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. | 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, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase. | 28When the wicked come to power, people hide, but when they are destroyed, the righteous flourish. |
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