| New King James Version | New Living Translation |
| 1The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. | 1The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. |
| 2Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged. | 2When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. |
| 3A poor man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. | 3A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops. |
| 4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them. | 4To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them. |
| 5Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all. | 5Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand completely. |
| 6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. | 6Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. |
| 7Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father. | 7Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents. |
| 8One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor. | 8Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor. |
| 9One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. | 9God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. |
| 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. | 10Those who lead good people along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things. |
| 11The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out. | 11Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them. |
| 12When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. | 12When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. |
| 13He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. | 13People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. |
| 14Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. | 14Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. |
| 15Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people. | 15A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or an attacking bear. |
| 16A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. | 16A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will have a long life. |
| 17A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him. | 17A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him! |
| 18Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. | 18The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed. |
| 19He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! | 19A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty. |
| 20A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. | 20The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble. |
| 21To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. | 21Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread. |
| 22A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him. | 22Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty. |
| 23He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue. | 23In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery. |
| 24Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, “It is no transgression,” The same is companion to a destroyer. | 24Anyone who steals from his father and mother and says, “What’s wrong with that?” is no better than a murderer. |
| 25He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered. | 25Greed causes fighting; trusting the LORD leads to prosperity. |
| 26He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. | 26Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. |
| 27He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses. | 27Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. |
| 28When the wicked arise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase. | 28When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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