International Standard Version

English Standard Version

1The wicked flee, though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold like a lion.

1The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are 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 transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.

3A poor man who oppresses the weak is like a rainstorm that destroys all the crops.

3A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.

4Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked, but whoever keeps it fights them.

4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive 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 it completely.

6It's better to be poor and live a blameless life than to be rich but crooked in one's lifestyle.

6Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

7Whoever keeps the Law is a discerning son, but whoever keeps company with gluttons brings shame to his father.

7The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8Whoever gains wealth by charging exorbitant interest collects it for someone who is kind to the poor.

8Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.

9If someone quits listening to the Law even his prayer is detestable.

9If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

10Whoever misleads the upright along an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.

10Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

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 understanding will find him out.

12When the righteous are victorious, there is great glory, but when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.

12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

13Whoever hides his transgressions will not succeed, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will find mercy.

13Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

14Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into disaster.

14Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15A roaring lion and a charging bear— that's what a wicked tyrant is over poor people.

15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16A Commander-in-Chief who is a cruel oppressor lacks understanding, but whoever hates unjust gain will live longer.

16A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17A guilty man tormented by bloodshed will be a lifelong fugitive; let no one support him.

17If one is burdened with the blood of another, he 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.

18Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

19Whoever works his farmland will have abundant food, but whoever chases fantasies will become very poor.

19Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty 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 abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

21To show partiality isn't good, yet for a piece of bread the valiant will transgress.

21To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

22The miser is in a hurry to get wealthy, but he isn't aware that poverty will catch up with him.

22A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.

23Whoever rebukes a man will later on find more favor than someone who flatters with his words.

23Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he 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.

24Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “That is no transgression,” is a companion to a man who destroys.

25An arrogant man stirs up dissension, but anyone who trusts in the LORD prospers.

25A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.

26Whoever trusts in himself is foolish, but whoever lives wisely will be kept safe.

26Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

27Whoever gives to the poor will never lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to their poverty will be cursed.

27Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

28When the wicked rise to power, people hide themselves, but when the wicked perish, the righteous increase.

28When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.