King James Bible | NET Bible |
1A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. | 1A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold. |
2The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. | 2The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the creator of them both. |
3A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. | 3A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it. |
4By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. | 4The reward for humility and fearing the LORD is riches and honor and life. |
5Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. | 5Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse, but the one who guards himself keeps far from them. |
6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. | 6Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. |
7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. | 7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. |
8He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. | 8The one who sows iniquity will reap trouble, and the rod of his fury will end. |
9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. | 9A generous person will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. |
10Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. | 10Drive out the scorner and contention will leave; strife and insults will cease. |
11He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. | 11The one who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious--the king will be his friend. |
12The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. | 12The eyes of the LORD guard knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the faithless person. |
13The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. | 13The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the middle of the streets!" |
14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein. | 14The mouth of an adulteress is like a deep pit; the one against whom the LORD is angry will fall into it. |
15Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. | 15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. |
16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. | 16The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain and the one who gives to the rich--both end up only in poverty. |
17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. | 17Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my instruction. |
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. | 18For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you, and they are ready on your lips. |
19That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. | 19So that your confidence may be in the LORD, I am making them known to you today--even you. |
20Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, | 20Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, |
21That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? | 21to show you true and reliable words, so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you? |
22Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: | 22Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court, |
23For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. | 23for the LORD will plead their case and will rob those who are robbing them. |
24Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: | 24Do not make friends with an angry person, and do not associate with a wrathful person, |
25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. | 25lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. |
26Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. | 26Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge or who puts up security for debts. |
27If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? | 27If you do not have enough to pay, your bed will be taken right out from under you! |
28Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. | 28Do not move an ancient boundary stone which was put in place by your ancestors. |
29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. | 29Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will take his position before kings; he will not take his position before obscure people. |
|