| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. | 1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold 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 land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures. |
| 3A poor man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. | 3A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food. |
| 4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them. | 4Those who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law battle against them. |
| 5Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all. | 5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand everything. |
| 6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. | 6Better a poor man who lives with integrity than a rich man who distorts right and wrong. |
| 7Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father. | 7A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. |
| 8One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor. | 8Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest collects it for one who is kind to the poor. |
| 9One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. | 9Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law-- even his prayer is detestable. |
| 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 into an evil way will 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 man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him. |
| 12When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. | 12When the righteous triumph, there is great rejoicing, but when the wicked come to power, people hide themselves. |
| 13He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. | 13The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. |
| 14Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. | 14Happy is the one who is always reverent, but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble. |
| 15Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people. | 15A wicked ruler over a helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear. |
| 16A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. | 16A leader who lacks understanding is very oppressive, but one who hates dishonest profit prolongs his life. |
| 17A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him. | 17A man burdened by bloodguilt will be a fugitive until death. Let no one help him. |
| 18Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. | 18The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall. |
| 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 have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies 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 man will have many blessings, but one in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished. |
| 21To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. | 21It is not good to show partiality-- yet a man may sin for a piece of bread. |
| 22A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him. | 22A greedy man is in a hurry for wealth; he doesn't know that poverty will come to him. |
| 23He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue. | 23One who rebukes a person will later find more favor than one who flatters with his 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 or mother and says, "That's no sin," is a companion to a man who destroys. |
| 25He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered. | 25A greedy person provokes conflict, but whoever 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 himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. |
| 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 be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses. |
| 28When the wicked arise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase. | 28When the wicked come to power, people hide, but when they are destroyed, the righteous flourish. |
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