| King James Bible | New International Version |
| 1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. | 1The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. |
| 2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. | 2When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. |
| 3A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. | 3A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. |
| 4They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. | 4Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. |
| 5Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. | 5Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. |
| 6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. | 6Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. |
| 7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. | 7A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. |
| 8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. | 8Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. |
| 9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. | 9If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. |
| 10Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession. | 10Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. |
| 11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. | 11The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. |
| 12When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. | 12When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding. |
| 13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. | 13Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. |
| 14Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. | 14Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. |
| 15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. | 15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. |
| 16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. | 16A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign. |
| 17A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. | 17Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back. |
| 18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. | 18The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit. |
| 19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. | 19Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. |
| 20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. | 20A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. |
| 21To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress. | 21To show partiality is not good-- yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread. |
| 22He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. | 22The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them. |
| 23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. | 23Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue. |
| 24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer. | 24Whoever robs their father or mother and says, "It's not wrong," is partner to one who destroys. |
| 25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. | 25The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper. |
| 26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. | 26Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. |
| 27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. | 27Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. |
| 28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase. | 28When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive. |
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