| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. | 1The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing, but the righteous person is as confident as a lion. |
| 2Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged. | 2When a country is rebellious it has many princes, but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable order is maintained. |
| 3A poor man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. | 3A poor person who oppresses the weak is like a driving rain without food. |
| 4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them. | 4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law contend with them. |
| 5Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all. | 5Evil people do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it all. |
| 6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. | 6A poor person who walks in his integrity is better than one who is perverse in his ways even though he is rich. |
| 7Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father. | 7The one who keeps the law is a discerning child, but a companion of gluttons brings shame to his parents. |
| 8One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor. | 8The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest gathers it for someone who is gracious to the needy. |
| 9One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. | 9The one who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. |
| 10Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; But the blameless will inherit good. | 10The one who leads the upright astray in an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good. |
| 11The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out. | 11A rich person is wise in his own eyes, but a discerning poor person can evaluate him properly. |
| 12When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. | 12When the righteous rejoice, great is the glory, but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out. |
| 13He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. | 13The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy. |
| 14Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. | 14Blessed is the one who is always cautious, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into evil. |
| 15Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people. | 15Like a roaring lion or a roving bear, so is a wicked ruler over a poor people. |
| 16A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. | 16The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom, but the one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. |
| 17A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him. | 17The one who is tormented by the murder of another will flee to the pit; let no one support him. |
| 18Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. | 18The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered, but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall at once. |
| 19He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! | 19The one who works his land will be satisfied with food, but whoever chases daydreams will have his fill of poverty. |
| 20A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. | 20A faithful person will have an abundance of blessings, but the one who hastens to gain riches will not go unpunished. |
| 21To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. | 21To show partiality is terrible, for a person will transgress over the smallest piece of bread. |
| 22A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him. | 22The stingy person hastens after riches and does not know that poverty will overtake him. |
| 23He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue. | 23The one who reproves another will in the end find more favor than the one who flatters with the tongue. |
| 24Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, “It is no transgression,” The same is companion to a destroyer. | 24The one who robs his father and mother and says, "There is no transgression," is a companion to the one who destroys. |
| 25He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered. | 25The greedy person stirs up dissension, but the one who trusts in the LORD will prosper. |
| 26He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. | 26The one who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but the one who walks in wisdom will escape. |
| 27He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses. | 27The one who gives to the poor will not lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses. |
| 28When the wicked arise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase. | 28When the wicked gain control, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase. |
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