King James Bible

International Standard Version

1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

1A poor man who walks blamelessly is better than a fool who speaks perversely.

2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

2Furthermore, it isn't good to be ignorant, and whoever rushes into things misses the mark.

3The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

3A man's foolishness ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

4Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

5A witness to lies will not go unpunished; the teller of falsehoods will not escape.

6Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

6Many curry favor of an official; everyone is a friend of the gift giver.

7All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

7All the relatives of a poor person shun him— how much more do his friends avoid him! Though he runs after them pleading, they aren't around.

8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

8Whoever obtains wisdom loves himself, and whoever treasures understanding will prosper.

9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

9A witness to lies will not go unpunished; the teller of falsehoods will perish.

10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

10It's not fitting for a fool to live in luxury; neither is it for a servant to rule over princes.

11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

11A person's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is to his credit that he ignores an offence.

12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

12The king's anger is like the roaring of a lion, but his goodwill is like dew on the grass.

13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

13A father's ruin is a foolish son, and a wife's quarreling is like dripping water that never stops.

14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

14A house and self-sufficiency are a father's inheritance, but from the LORD comes an insightful wife.

15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

15Laziness puts one to sleep, and an idle person will go hungry.

16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

16Whoever obeys a commandment keeps himself safe, but someone who is contemptuous in conduct will die.

17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

17Whoever is kind to the poor is lending to the LORD— the benefit of his gift will return to him in abundance.

18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

18Discipline your son while there is still hope— but don't set your heart on his destruction.

19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

19The person who has great anger must pay the consequences, because if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

20Listen to advice and accept discipline, and you'll be wise for the rest of your life.

21There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

21Many plans occupy the mind of a man, but the LORD's purposes will prevail.

22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

22Human beings long for grace, and it's better to be poor than a man of deceit.

23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

23The fear of the LORD leads to life; whoever is satisfied with it will rest, untouched by evil.

24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

24The lazy person buries his hand in his dish and doesn't bother to bring it back to his mouth.

25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

25If you scourge a scoffer, the simple person may learn to be discreet; rebuke a discerning man and he will gain understanding.

26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

26Whoever mistreats his father and alienates his mother is a son who brings both shame and disrespect.

27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

27My son, if you stop listening to instruction, you will stray from the principles of knowledge.

28An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the wicked person feeds on iniquity.

29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

29Condemnation is appropriate for mockers, just as beatings are for the backs of fools.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

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